Green SUV's: Design Editiorial

Green cars and hybrid cars are quickly gaining in popularity. With rising gas (petrol for reader's across the pond) prices people are looking for more fuel-efficient wheels.

SUV sales are declining and manufactures have to adapt to the change. GM has rolled out its line of green SUV's. It's almost difficult to tell these SUV's are more fuel-efficient than their gas-guzzling counterparts. The new hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, and the new Chevrolet Silverado are now attempting to increase lack luster SUV sales.

Though, the design of these cars hasn't changed the perception of a hyrbid car evokes the image of the iconic Toyota Prius which makes it hard to believe for some that the 2009 Cadillac Escalade will be offered as a hybrid version.

When hyrbid cars debuted in the American market around 1999 the Honda Insight with its futuristic, oddly shaped car set the tone of what hybrids should look like- or at least a basic design other automakers could copy to get the emerging hybrid sales. The Toyota Prius was soon to follow and the second generation became the symbol of hybrids.

Though, the bulky shape and somewhat strange design of the current Prius kept some consumers from buying it. If there was a hybrid version of the Camry or Accord consumers would have bought it because it is familiar and the styling of the cars are conservative and familiar.

Recently, hybrids have become trendy with the release of the Lexus RX hybrid and the Ford Escape hybrid. Automakers caught on that hybrids were taking on a mass appeal and shifting in design from nerdy odd shape, little cars to family sized cars with smooth lines. Though, why didn't this design shift happen sooner?

Now American automakers that have been stubborn to produce change are suddenly offering hybrids to the changing auto market; big SUV's, small SUV's and pickup trucks. While the first hybrid SUV's look more conventional than their smaller hybrid cars did when they first hit the market will they be as fuel-efficient? Nonetheless it's a good start.