Just one month after seeking government economic assistance, amid unprecedented financial turmoil in the auto industry, the 'Big Three' American Automakers - General Motors, Ford and Chrysler - are introducing new fuel-efficient vehicles, in an effort to revamp their image and increase sales at the Detroit North American International Auto Show.
陷入史无前例的财务危机的美国三大汽车公司通用、福特和克莱斯勒在寻求政府经济援助的一个月之后，便推出新的节油汽车，争取改变形象，增加销售量。
The North American International Auto Show has traditionally served as an extravagant unveiling of the latest in the automotive industry. But, with automotive sales in a steep decline, this year's show represents a critical moment for American automobile manufacturers.
北美国际汽车博览会传统上被用来隆重推出汽车工业的最新产品。但是面临汽车销售急剧下降的局面，今年的汽车博览会对于美国汽车制造商来说至关重要。
The very livelihood of thousands of autoworkers in Detroit depends on a drastic turnaround, particularly for General Motors. GM Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner knows the stakes.
底特律数十万汽车工人的生计维系于一次重要的时来运转。这对于通用汽车公司来说尤其是这样。通用首席执行官里克.瓦格纳了解这个重要性。
"For 2009, GM's focus is to rapidly implement our accelerated restructuring plan to successfully guide GM through the unprecedented economic and credit crisis that is affecting the entire global auto industry," he said. "That's a big job to be sure."
他说：“2009年，通用公司的中心工作是迅速贯彻我们正在加速进行的改组计划，成功地带领通用公司走出影响全球汽车工业的史无前例的经济和信贷危机。毫无疑问，这是一个重大的挑战。”
Just before Wagoner unveiled what is ahead for the company, hundreds of GM employees gathered in the Cobo Center in a show of solidarity, shouting slogans in front of the assembled media.
就在瓦格纳宣布公司今年的计划之前，数百名通用公司的雇员在科博中心集会，展示团结。他们在大批聚集在那里的媒体面前高呼口号。
The employees also waved signs that said "40 miles per gallon" and "we're electric," themes designed to highlight the direction that Wagoner is leading the company.
雇员们手中还挥舞着写有“每加仑汽油40英里”、“我们要电动汽车”等标语，这些标语的主题都是为了概括瓦格纳领导通用公司进行改组的目标。
"There is no better example of where we are heading in this critical area than the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle that we are bringing to market next year," added Wagoner.
瓦格纳说：“在这个至关重要的改组过程中，最能代表我们未来方向的例证就是雪弗莱VOLT型多种系列的电动汽车。我们将于明年把这种汽车投入市场。”
GM introduced the Chevrolet Volt Concept Car, a vehicle propelled by an electric motor powered by a battery, in 2007. If continued testing proves successful, GM plans to start selling the vehicle in the United States in November of 2010.
通用公司2007年推出雪弗莱VOLT概念车，这是一种由电池提供动力的电力马达驱动的汽车。如果后续的实验获得成功，通用公司计划将于2010年11月开始在美国销售这种汽车。
Although GM was the first to announce plans for a popular-priced electric car, it will have competition from Chrysler. The company reaffirmed its commitment to have an extended-range electric vehicle as part of its lineup in 2010.
虽然通用是第一个宣布研制大众化电动汽车的公司，但是它将遇到来自克莱斯勒的竞争。克莱斯勒公司重申了它致力于研制多系列电动汽车的规划，并表示这是它2010年改组计划的一部分。
And, Ford is not far behind. Executive Chairman Bill Ford is the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford. He hopes to catch some of the momentum created by General Motors and carried by Chrysler.
福特也不甘落后。公司总裁比尔.福特是这家公司的创建人亨利.福特的曾孙，他希望能够借助这个由通用开创、克莱斯勒推进的势头。
"We're employing a comprehensive approach to electrification that will tackle commercial issues, such as batteries, standards and infrastructure. It starts with strategic partners as an important part of the approach," he said. "We're going to work with partners to develop and produce batteries, infrastructure, as well as government policy to speed the acceptance of electric vehicles."
他说：“我们正在利用全面手段来推进汽车电动化，这个过程将着手处理各种商业化问题，例如电池、产品标准和基础设施等等。作为规划的一个重要组成部分，我们将从建立战略伙伴关系开始。我们将与合作伙伴共同开发研制电池，兴建基础设施，并且借助政府政策来促进人们接受电动汽车。”
The excitement created by the speed at which auto engineers have brought electric-powered vehicles off the drawing board and onto the show floor is tempered in recent months with the dramatic drop in fuel prices. With oil currently hovering around $40 a barrel, auto executives admit it makes purchasing a more expensive electric vehicle less appealing to consumers already suffering from a weak economy and tight credit restrictions.
汽车工程师们把电动汽车由图纸变为博览会上的车型的速度令人激动，然而最近几个月燃料价格暴跌使这种热情有所降温。目前国际市场的原油价格在大约40美元一桶的价位徘徊，汽车公司的主管们承认，这种情况减少了消费者购买更为昂贵的电动汽车的吸引力，疲软的经济和紧缩的信贷限制已经使他们不堪负担。
But automakers hope the effort to reduce dependence on foreign oil, as well as a reduction in carbon emissions are other motivating factors that will help boost sales of these vehicles. Customers could also receive tax rebates for purchasing the more fuel-efficient electric vehicles.
但是汽车制造商希望减轻对外国石油的依赖以及减少二氧化碳气体排放会成为帮助促进电动汽车销售的另外一种动因。消费者可能还会由于购买这种更节省燃料的汽车而获得减税的优惠。 |