You don’t have to be an expert to see the auto industry is finally back on track. After the financial crisis several years ago and the $80 billion government bailout of GM and Chrysler, car manufacturers around the country seem to be doing quite well on their own these days.
And you may have also noticed some changes to the auto industry; not only to what’s inside new cars -- high tech features such as touch screen controls, infotainment packages and other advanced options, but also to what’s coming out of them. With every major manufacturer now producing at least one hybrid model, and many producing or developing all electric vehicles, it would seem that to the auto industry, green may be the new black.
But as cars becomes more advanced, car repairs and purchases become more expensive. So is all this new technology worth it? Does the added benefit of heads up displays, on-board computers, and assisted parking outweigh the cost of having to own and maintain these systems? And does saving money at pump outweigh the cost of buying one of these newer, pricier hybrids or electrics?
This program originally aired on June 18, 2015.
GUESTS:
- Aaron Robinson -Auto industry expert and Executive Editor of Car and Driver Magazine
- Jim Motavalli -Journalist and speaker who’s contributed to the New York Times and Car Talk on NPR. He’s the author of several books including High Voltage: The Fast Track to Plug In the Auto Industry
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John Dankosky, Tucker Ives, Chion Wolf and Allison Ehrenreich contributed to this show.