Policy, green cars take center stage at Washington auto show

Public policy and the ultimate impact it has on consumers' cars was the hot topic on Thursday at the Washington auto show, as companies vied to show off and explain their latest fuel-efficient technologies under the watchful eyes of regulators and government officials.

Notably, Chevrolet announced plans to roll out an "Ecologic" environmental label on the 2012 Sonic, with other vehicles to follow. Sort of like nutrition labels for food, Chevy's version will explain the environmental impact of cars throughout their life cycles. That includes the assembly phase, the on-road performance and then the recycling of the car.

"These days, we know our customers are very interested in this [information]," General Motors North America president Mark Reuss said.

Ford used the Washington stage to explain its ambitious production plans for its EcoBoost engines, which will be offered in 11 models in North America in 2012, an increase from seven last year. The plan is part of Ford's goal to make the internal-combustion engine more efficient by combining direct injection and turbocharging in four- and six-cylinder engines. The Mustang is also expected to get an EcoBoost powerplant in the near future.

Hyundai and Mazda detailed their strategies for wringing fuel-economy gains out of internal-combustion engines, as they're still more common than hybrids.

"We've got to be environmentally friendly, we've got to be fuel-efficient, but we've got to be good for the customer," said Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of national sales for Hyundai.

Jeep revealed a red version of its blacked-out Jeep Grand Cherokee "Concept," following the all-black model from the Houston auto show earlier this week. The vehicle in Washington had blacked-out 20-inch wheels, with similar treatments to the grille and trim. Jeep is having a contest to name this trim package but still claims the model is a concept.

The Washington auto show features mostly encore presentations of products revealed at other shows, such as the Dodge Dart, Chevrolet's sports-car concepts and the Fiat 500 Abarth. Dubbed the public-policy show, the event focuses less on sheetmetal and more on lawmakers' impact on cars.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood spoke about the resurgence of Detroit's carmakers, continuing a theme of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

"They represent the fact that American manufacturing and American industry is back," LaHood said.

He also continued his outspoken criticism of driving distractions, directing much of his anger at cell-phone use.

"We've made some progress but we have a long way to go," LaHood said. "You know it's dangerous, because you're not paying attention."

Policy was also in the spotlight when Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., explained his bipartisan bill that he says would help states expand the use of charging stations for electric vehicles.

"Electric vehicles give us flexibility," he said in arguing against volatile oil prices and circumstances overseas.

By Greg Migliore