| The auto industry is changing as the | | | | The popularity of these vehicles creates |
| demand for fuel efficient vehicles | | | | a "halo" effect. This means that the |
| increases. The Big Three known for | | | | fuel efficient vehicles generate |
| producing large vehicles are now in the | | | | interest among car buyers. Interested |
| process of developing and producing fuel | | | | individuals will then go to a dealership |
| efficient vehicles. General Motors, | | | | to inquire about the particular gas |
| Ford and Chrysler have been facing their | | | | miser. Dealerships also display other |
| toughest battle yet with Asian car | | | | auto models which car buyers would never |
| manufacturers who come to the United | | | | consider if they have not seen it |
| States auto market with fuel efficient | | | | personally. This means that car |
| vehicles. In order to stem the tide, | | | | manufacturers not only benefit from the |
| the Big Three began developing smaller | | | | sale of these fuel efficient vehicles |
| vehicles. | | | | but the sale also creates a way for them |
| General Motors came up with the Saturn | | | | to introduce other auto models to car |
| Aura while Ford sent out the Edge. | | | | buyers. |
| Chrysler, on the other hand, entered | | | | "They are standard bearers for those |
| with the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. These | | | | brands and represent what those brands |
| three models are currently catching the | | | | are about," says Jack Nerad, the |
| attention of car buyers. The popularity | | | | executive market analyst at Kelley Blue |
| of these three auto modes may lead some | | | | Brook as to the significance of these |
| to think that the vehicles are the best | | | | fuel efficient American cars. "They're |
| selling auto models of their respective | | | | game-changers for brands trying to |
| manufacturers. | | | | redefine themselves," he added. |
| In reality, these vehicles are just | | | | The disparity between sales of these |
| becoming popular among car buyers and | | | | fuel efficient vehicles compared to |
| the larger vehicles produced by General | | | | large vehicles is still great though. |
| Motors, Ford and Chrysler are still | | | | According to data provided by General |
| their best selling models. These fuel | | | | Motors, they have sold 4,323 units of |
| efficient vehicles show the way for the | | | | the Saturn Aura in April this year, |
| future of auto production for the Big | | | | complete with its standard features and |
| Three. The American car manufacturers | | | | is made easily available with Saturn |
| have been criticized for not coming up | | | | roof racks. While the number of Auras |
| with such vehicles as the price of | | | | sold for a single month is respectable, |
| gasoline continue to increase. The | | | | it pales in comparison to the number of |
| arrival of the Aura, Edge, and Wrangler | | | | Chevrolet Silverados which is reported |
| Unlimited though shows that even Detroit | | | | to be at 49,436 units just for the month |
| is jumping on the bandwagon of carmakers | | | | of April. |
| manufacturing fuel misers. | | | | |