VOA常速英语2008年-Hot New Cars on Display at the Washington Auto

By Ernest Leong
Washington, DC
04 February 2008
 

It is winter in Washington, people bundled in heavy coats to shield themselves from the cold weather. Many seek refuge at indoor events. The recently held Washington Auto¹ Show - where visitors got an up-close view of the latest in automotive technology -- is one such event. VOA's Ernest Leong reports.

More than 700 new domestic and foreign vehicles were on display at the Washington Auto Show.

Whatever one's individual tastes -- whether it is fast sports cars, or slower, more reliable all-terrain jeep, long limos to stretch out in, or more compact vehicles -- chances are good one can find it at an auto show.

Scott Settlemire is the manager of the Chevrolet and Hummer exhibits for U.S. auto company General Motors. He explained the purpose of auto shows. "The reason we really do auto shows, if you think about it, is to allow the customer to come in and look at our products, and touch and feel them in a non-threatening atmosphere. They don't have to feel that they're under any pressure [to buy]. We actually want them to come in, open the doors, open the trunks, kick the tires and ask us questions," he said.

This setting offers auto manufacturers a chance to show off their newest cars, trucks, and sports utility vehicles [SUV's].

Some of the vehicles run on alternative fuel -- battery, ethanol, diesel² -- fuels that burn cleaner and more efficiently³ than gasoline.

Virginia state resident Tom Albert, whose wife is expecting their first child, volunteered to test drive Chevrolet's Equinox, a hydrogen fuel cell electric SUV. He said, "I'll drive it to and from work, to the grocery store, to the home improvement store, and I'm sure to go buy some diapers."

Chevrolet says the Equinox can run over 300 kilometers before refueling. The company says this makes the vehicle ideal for use in short distance situations, such as running errands.

Albert says fueling the vehicle is similar to fueling gas-driven cars. "You connect the hose up. What you do, there's currently a cable that'll connect between the pump and the car. And they'll talk to one another, in order to fuel the tank."

Technological⁴ advancements⁵ in fuel efficiency are consistent with the U.S. government's directive to increase the number of alternative fuel vehicles on the road, and lessen⁶ dependency on foreign oil. Global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions⁷ is one reason for seeking greater fuel efficiency.

Another is record-breaking oil prices. Some economic experts say high oil prices are a factor in the recent global stock market slump⁸ [downturn].

Alexander Karsner, the Department of Energy's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (U.S. Department of Energy), visited the Washington Auto Show.

"That efficiency is productivity. Efficiency is competitiveness. When you get more out of using less, you are always making your economy more agile⁹, more competitive, more productive, and ultimately, creating more value for your citizenry," Karsner said. 

"Engineered for the Future" is the theme of the 2008 Washington Auto Show. Some in the U.S. government and auto industry say that future needs to include more fuel-efficient vehicles.

1 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

2 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

3 efficiently   

adv.高效率地，有能力地

参考例句：

• The worker oils the machine to operate it more efficiently.工人给机器上油以使机器运转更有效。
• Local authorities have to learn to allocate resources efficiently.地方政府必须学会有效地分配资源。

4 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

5 advancements   

n.（级别的）晋升( advancement的名词复数 )；前进；进展；促进

参考例句：

• Today, the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements. 当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Great advancements in drought prediction have been made in recent years. 近年来，人们对干旱灾害的预报研究取得了长足的进步。 来自互联网

6 lessen   

vt.减少，减轻；缩小

参考例句：

• Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.经常运动有助于减轻痛感。
• They've made great effort to lessen the noise of planes.他们尽力减小飞机的噪音。

7 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

8 slump   

n.暴跌，意气消沉，（土地）下沉；vi.猛然掉落，坍塌，大幅度下跌

参考例句：

• She is in a slump in her career.她处在事业的低谷。
• Economists are forecasting a slump.经济学家们预言将发生经济衰退。

9 agile   

adj.敏捷的，灵活的

参考例句：

• She is such an agile dancer!她跳起舞来是那么灵巧！
• An acrobat has to be agile.杂技演员必须身手敏捷。