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U.S. & World Business Science & Tech

Automakers vow not to give up on weak-selling electrics

By Associated Press
SHARE Automakers vow not to give up on weak-selling electrics
People gather around the new Lamborghini Aventador SV during a preview show of Volkswagen Group, as part of the 85th Geneva International Motor Show, Switzerland, Monday, March 2, 2015.

People gather around the new Lamborghini Aventador SV during a preview show of Volkswagen Group, as part of the 85th Geneva International Motor Show, Switzerland, Monday, March 2, 2015.

Laurent Cipriani, Associated Press
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A Florida man has been arrested and charged after obtaining $3.9 million in relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to buy himself a Lamborghini sports car, according to US Department of Justice.

The President and CEO of Lamborghini Stephan Winkelmann introduces the new Lamborghini Aventador SV during a preview show of Volkswagen Group, as part of the 85th Geneva International Motor Show, Switzerland, Monday, March 2, 2015.

Laurent Cipriani, Associated Press
2 of 8
Journalists surround the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.

Journalists surround the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.

Laurent Cipriani, Associated Press
3 of 8
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche presents the new Mercedes GLE 450 AMG Coupe on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche presents the new Mercedes GLE 450 AMG Coupe on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.

Laurent Cipriani, Associated Press
4 of 8
The new Morgan Aero 8 is on display on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.

The new Morgan Aero 8 is on display on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.

Laurent Cipriani, Associated Press
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The New Bentley Continental GT Speed is shown during the first press day at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The Motor Show will open its gates to the public from 5th to 15th.

The New Bentley Continental GT Speed is shown during the first press day at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The Motor Show will open its gates to the public from 5th to 15th.

Keystone, Martial Trezzini, Associated Press
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The new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is surrounded by journalists on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.

The new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is surrounded by journalists on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.

Laurent Cipriani, Associated Press
7 of 8
The New Bentley Continental GT Convertible, which is shown during the press day at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The Motor Show will open its gates to the public from 5th to 15th March.

The New Bentley Continental GT Convertible, which is shown during the press day at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The Motor Show will open its gates to the public from 5th to 15th March.

Keystone, Martial Trezzini, Associated Press
8 of 8
People gather around the new Lamborghini Aventador SV during a preview show of Volkswagen Group, as part of the 85th Geneva International Motor Show, Switzerland, Monday, March 2, 2015.
A Florida man has been arrested and charged after obtaining $3.9 million in relief funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to buy himself a Lamborghini sports car, according to US Department of Justice.
Journalists surround the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche presents the new Mercedes GLE 450 AMG Coupe on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.
The new Morgan Aero 8 is on display on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.
The New Bentley Continental GT Speed is shown during the first press day at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The Motor Show will open its gates to the public from 5th to 15th.
The new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is surrounded by journalists on the first press day of the Geneva International Motor Show Tuesday, March 3, 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The show opens its doors to the public March 5 through March 15.
The New Bentley Continental GT Convertible, which is shown during the press day at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 3, 2015. The Motor Show will open its gates to the public from 5th to 15th March.

GENEVA — Top automakers are vowing to press ahead with weak-selling electric vehicles and zero-emissions technology — even as they unveil powerful, expensive luxury cars sports cars aimed at a growing global automarket.

At the Geneva International Motor Show, BMW AG CEO Norbert Reithofer says Tuesday his company "cannot do without" battery powered vehicles such as its i3 urban compact.

He says that "in the future electric drive vehicles will be in demand."

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says hybrids combining internal combustion and batteries were "truly attractive cars that represent the best of both worlds" and serve as a bridge to future no-emissions vehicles. He cautions that the long-life batteries needed for electrics to conquer the market are at least five years off.

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