The automotive world is under assault from two storms that will lead to a watershed in its century-old history.
The convergence of global warming and consumers' aspirations for a more responsible world extends beyond the call to save the planet. In the motoring industry, this now translates into stricter CO2 emission laws imposed by the United States, along the lines of those in Europe.
With laws and tax penalties brought into play, the "forced" consciousness they foster is a far more effective weapon to bring about change than the idealistic green consciousness that preaches abstinence and conservation. While we see this proactive participation by lawmakers in Europe, the emerging giants of China, India and Asia are not far behind — with the benefit of hindsight, these countries are able to avoid repeating the errors of the developed nations.