Automakers Offering A New Look

Glass Roofed Cars

Automakers are now starting to introduce glass roofed cars. It is essential for those back seat star gazers, also for those looking for the benefits of a convertible without the windblown hair. The increasing number of new cars and crossover vehicles that are offering broad panoramic glass roofs which are composed of one or two large panels which open up the cabin to the heavens which gives the motorists a feel of more headroom and natural light as they drive.
A leading supplier of the glass roofs "Webasto Inc estimates that the number of panoramic glass sunroofs could more than double to about 700,000 vehicles by 2012." Andreas Weller vice president of business development estimated that the option costs between $1200 and $2000 providing "almost the benefits of the convertible without the drawbacks."
With the advent of shatter-resistant and reinforcements on the roof automakers are no longer limited to the small space above the the two front seats now they can expand this to stretch over the entire top of the vehicle.

Car Industries Turning Green

"Industries moving away from speed and horsepower to green alternatives"

Car industries are making a change in the direction from one of speed to a basis of more fuel efficient cars. Due to the rise in gas prices and other factors. A main reason behind this change is an energy bill requiring more miles per gallon. Automakers are now trying to make there new models get more mileage on a gallon of gasoline, cut down on carbon dioxide emissions, and using alternate power sources.
Dieter Zetsche the chief executive of Daimler AG has pushed the idea of a diesel strategy to improve its fuel efficiency. This may be a good thought because diesel burns cleaner ans would help reduce the carbon dioxide emissions as well as more miles to the gallon. Many automakers have made their vehicles more fuel efficient in the recent years but many gains have been offset by increases in horsepower and weight.
President Bush signed an energy bill in late December that requires " the industries new fleet of cars, SUV's, pickup trucks and vans to average 35 miles per gallon by 2020, a 40 % increase". It was the first major change in the Car Industry since the 70's.

More High Tech Inventions To Take Your Mind Off The Road

"Drivers have never had so many distractions tempting them to take their eyes off the road and their hands off the wheel" Bill Vlasic. Automakers are now making their latest models into living rooms on the road. Some drivers are now packing their interiors with navigation systems and DVD players and LCD screens everywhere including in the drivers view. Mr. Marcellino sponsored a bill last year to ban all display generating devices in the drivers view in New York. Safety experts say the influx of electronics is turning cars into sometimes chaotic and distracting moving family rooms. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 80% of vehicle crashes and 65 % of close calls are caused in part by driver distraction. The biggest culprit in most accidents are hand held wireless devices along with the act of dialing phone numbers or writing text messages. Some automakers say they are improving safety by offering more hands-free phones systems by simplifying voiced activated technologies.