American car makers go green to beat credit crunch

American car manufacturers are going green in a bid to beat the economic downturn.

Consumers are to be offered fuel efficient, all electric or hybrid-powered vehicles in the coming years.

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, General Motors unveiled the New Cadillac Converj Concept electric car. It is designed to travel 64 kilometeres on one standard wall socket charge.

GM is not alone. Ford and Chrysler touted new products, focusing on fuel efficiency and new technologies they say will help ensure their cars and trucks will roll off assembly lines for years to come.

Chrysler’s chief executive said while its key new products wouldn’t be in dealer showrooms until next year, the manufacturer expects to survive 2009 and remain an independent company.

Ford said that by 2011 it will sell an electric car that can go 161 kilometres on a single charge and it will offer plug-in versions of its gas-electric hybrid vehicles a year later.