← Continued from Page 2 of "2010, The Auto Industry Rebound"
NISSAN
The hard work Nissan has been doing for the past two years to get the world ready for electric vehicles has been crowned in 2010 with the launch of the Leaf EV, the first pure electric vehicle meant for the masses. As is the case with the Volt from GM, the Leaf will probably lack the necessary strength to change the world in the year to come, but it will surely give the car maker an idea on whether it has been focusing its efforts in the right direction.
The Germans have had perhaps the biggest number of new car launches of any country this year, with both revivals of older models and completely new cars being introduced into the world.
Despite the recently launched battle between the Japanese and the Americans in the electric vehicle sector, no other economy in the world promises as much for this new sector as the German one does. BMW, Daimler and VW have all announced huge EV projects for the future, which will see cars from all classes get different types of electric powertrains.
Daimler will focus its efforts of fuel-cell powered cars, VW will tap into Audi's breathtaking e-tron project, while BMW is planning to give birth to a new line of models developed by the i Project.
There are, of course, many of those who have tried and perhaps succeeded in shaping the industry for the years to come. The South Korean manufacturers have continued their upward trend, while China, as an industry, has expanded into new markets with the acquisition of Volvo by Geely.
Overall, however, 2010 has been a much quieter year than 2009. It lacked all the drama, the suspense and, at times, the tragedy of the previous year. In all, 2010 has been a year all years should be like for the automotive industry: a year of evolution.
GERMAN MANUFACTURERS
The kings of the world this year, the Germans have shattered record after record when it comes to the sales numbers. Keeping up the good work they have been doing for decades, the Germans (the Volkswagen Group, the Daimler Group and BMW) have managed to remain the first choice for new cars for clients across the world.The Germans have had perhaps the biggest number of new car launches of any country this year, with both revivals of older models and completely new cars being introduced into the world.
Despite the recently launched battle between the Japanese and the Americans in the electric vehicle sector, no other economy in the world promises as much for this new sector as the German one does. BMW, Daimler and VW have all announced huge EV projects for the future, which will see cars from all classes get different types of electric powertrains.
Daimler will focus its efforts of fuel-cell powered cars, VW will tap into Audi's breathtaking e-tron project, while BMW is planning to give birth to a new line of models developed by the i Project.
There are, of course, many of those who have tried and perhaps succeeded in shaping the industry for the years to come. The South Korean manufacturers have continued their upward trend, while China, as an industry, has expanded into new markets with the acquisition of Volvo by Geely.
Overall, however, 2010 has been a much quieter year than 2009. It lacked all the drama, the suspense and, at times, the tragedy of the previous year. In all, 2010 has been a year all years should be like for the automotive industry: a year of evolution.
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