Let Greenwash Flow Like A Mighty River! - The Detroit Auto Show Begins - TB

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Green vehicles and fuel-saving technology are set to dominate this year's auto show in Detroit as automakers struggle to deal with $100-per-barrel oil prices, new U.S. mileage requirements, and global warming.

Today is the start of displays of concept and new vehicles to the media before the show's opening to the public Saturday. This year's concepts feature an array of environmentally friendly offerings, including the Chrysler ecoVoyager, a crossover vehicle that emits only water vapor, and the Toyota A-BAT compact pickup, which has a hybrid powertrain and would reintroduce Toyota to the compact truck category.

Also debuting is a two-seat Jeep Renegade concept that would be powered with lithium-ion batteries and a small, clean-burning diesel engine that Chrysler LLC believes could go 110 miles on a gallon of fuel. Drawings of the vehicle have been released.

Concept cars allow automakers to gauge public reaction to engineering ideas. But in the real world, where gas prices are increasing and domestic car market shares are falling, economics and customer desires can rule.

"To make a substantial, meaningful difference in improving fuel economy and lessening this country's reliance on oil, you have to have products that people want, that you can produce in large volumes, and at the price points where they'll make a difference," said Greg Martin, a spokesman for General Motors Corp.

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