| We're at the beginning of a new era for the | | | | eccentric inventors the anonymous actors of today |
| automobile industry, and in consequence that industry | | | | will become the stars of tomorrow. |
| that services and maintains them. Among those a | | | | The good news is that the clean car is once again a |
| small international company that I cover as an analyst | | | | desirable asset - and firms like The Clean Plus® |
| of the industry, Falken Industries Ltd OTC: FLKI. It | | | | Group, the industry leader for biodegradable and |
| like its colleagues of the trade, must quickly ready | | | | environmentally friendly car-care and maintenance |
| itself for the present task and opportunties. | | | | products are rising to the occasion. |
| Everything in car care, detailing and maintenance has | | | | Whatever its future qualities the automobile can no |
| to change. "The cars have to be redesigned from | | | | longer be considered in isolation. To earn legitimacy |
| scratch" says a CEO in the industry summing up the | | | | and out-space its critics, it has to take account of |
| challenges lying ahead. | | | | mobility and environmental issues especially in urban |
| Every-one supports a clean car with zero CO2 and | | | | areas. A number of major institutions and |
| particle emissions and with maintenance and care that | | | | corporations are similarly already quietly looking into |
| will not contribute to environmental pollution, but it's | | | | the possibilities of offering a complete package upon |
| no easy task to predict which solution will really work; | | | | the purchase of a new car, including subscriptions to |
| each option in the manufacture of cars and in their | | | | branded car detailing or washes such as that offered |
| care has its fervent supporters and fierce critics. | | | | by the Clean Plus® Car Wash concept, to taxi |
| Should we aim for all electric vehicles? With plug-in | | | | firm as well as bike-hire service, public transportation, |
| vehicles or batteries that can be exchanged at gas | | | | car share services, and valet parking and maintenance |
| stations? Are hybrid engines the best option in the | | | | to avoid city-center concentration and pollution. |
| short term? Is the era of gas on the way out? What | | | | The car is well positioned to become again the |
| about hydrogen and fuel cells, or even compressed | | | | transportation of choice for medium distances. But |
| air? | | | | beyond the substantial logistics that this will require a |
| At issue are technology, infrastructure and | | | | cultural revolution needs to occur. It is already under |
| governments which have to reach global agreements. | | | | way. The other good news is that it will go hand in |
| Several options exist and will probably operate in | | | | hand with innovative service and product packages |
| parallel for a time. Some companies will disappear and | | | | that create new jobs. It all amounts to a very |
| new ones will jostle their way to the fore. From the | | | | exciting project for the future! |
| powerful Chinese consortium to bold industrialists and | | | | |