Detroit auto show: Firms bet on petrol to fund electric future
Electric vehicles have been the number one topic of discussion at the Detroit auto show. But big fuel guzzlers are still crucial as carmakers need traditional vehicles to fund their electric dreams.
Even before the auto show opened, General Motors and Ford had announced plans to grow their electric vehicle line-ups.
Ford said it would invest $11bn (£8.5bn) by 2020 to create a line of 40 hybrid and fully electric cars.
Cadillac, a brand owned by GM, also unveiled plans for new electric vehicle architecture.
Cadillac president Steve Carlisle says the design allows battery packs to fit into the car, the way "ice cubes fit into a tray".
That concept means Cadillac's electric cars will have front, rear or all-wheel drive using the same design. It should allow the firm to offer a wider range of electric cars.
The company didn't provide a launch date for the new vehicles. GM's chief executive Mary Barra said there would be "plenty of opportunities" in the coming year, and discussed making Cadillac GM's flagship brand for electric vehicles.
GM already makes an electric car, the Chevrolet Volt. But by making Cadillac its electric flagship, analysts say GM will try to challenge Tesla in the luxury market.
"We're in a transition period for the industry," says Michelle Krebs, an analyst with Cox Automotive.
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