Germany Flagging in Hybrid Race

Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes... We often aspire to be behind the wheel of one of these machines, but resentment of German carmakers is growing among the eco-industry. The nation's carmakers are at the back of the pack in terms of automotive environmental development, According to the German Auto Club. Japan, on the other hand, holds the two top spots for envirnomentally friendly automobiles, with the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic, both hybird cars.

Increased demand for carbon emission regulation in the EU, along with the upcoming International Motorshow in Genva have spurred German carmakers into action. Volkswagon has produced one eco-model, the Polo Blue Motion, the first model of the sustainable Blue Motion line of cars. The vehicle, which was unveiled at the Geneva show in March 2006, consumes the lowest amount of fuel in its class, according to Volkswagon. VW and Porsche have also teamed up to produce a line of ec-friendly cars, scheduled to debut in 2008.

The EU has been warring over car regulations to curb CO2 emissions, and reached a comprimise to increase the use of biofuels and fossil fuels, but did little to instigate standards for cleaner car models. Germany's focus in past years has been on developing cleaner diesel fuel, which is more universally utilized in Europe than the US, where big trucks are the main diesel consumers. Although diesel produces less carbon dioxide than petroluem fuel, it emits harmful nitrates.

Hybrids, on the other hand, give of less of both poisons, and have brought Toyota and Honda great success in recent years. Tierry Dombreval, VP for Toyota Europe, expects annual hybrid sales to exceed 1 million by the beginning of the next decade.

Hybrids are catching on faster in Europe than the United States, but change is in the air. Leonardo Dicaprio's arrival at the Oscars in a Prius had people talking, and other stars who've participated in the "Red Carpet, Green Cars" campaign include Penelope Cruz, Forest Whitaker, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst and Gwyneth Paltrow.