New Obama Rules Will Transform U.S. Auto Fleet

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linwoodoli of IL 5:44AM September 05, 2009

Americans demanded the cars we have now.
Witness the Hummer or the Gigantic Cadillac or Suburban. Chrysler's lineup is a joke and a big FU to the environment. Pickup trucks are as big as dump trucks were only a few years ago. These same cars will still be on the road for 10 to 15 years. While still getting 10 to 15 mpg.
Americans defend their "right" to drive anything they want and to Hell with everyone else. The low wattage mentality of the Average American is astounding.
The first poster has it right, Turbo Diesels already in use in Europe. But Americans need to demand this technology in order for it to happen.
Americans rarely make good decisions and the technology will not prevent America from sliding into a Second World status. It's tough to buy a $27,000 econo car on $8 an hour.
This is depressing.

DaveH. of NC 8:23PM May 24, 2009

We knew in the 1970's that oil was on borrowed time after the OPEC embargo. US carmakers put their heads in the sand with our government - and built garbage small cars in a lame effort to meet demand. We went along ignoring the inevitable for three decades.
The rest of the world moved forward, and they have created fleets of more efficient, quality, high performance vehicles that caused Detroit to take a nose dive. Americans are buying foreign cars. Urban lifestyles also encouraged smaller vehicles that are easier to park. Fortunately - some Hondas, Toyotas, Mercedes and BMW's are built here, so some of the jobs are still here.
Unfortunately - American industry was too lazy to be a leader in this area, and has thus suffered dearly. I really hope they get off their duffs and show us all how good they really can be.
With my commute and current mpg, I would pay back $1300 in 14 months. Also - we don't have to use only battery technology. There are highly efficient diesel engines that have been in use in Europe for the past 10 years at would increase most mileage by 1/3. Hydrogen power is still in its infancy - but if we focus more on that too, we could get away from oil all together.
Another suggestion that would
---save the government money if they used it,
---reduce our use of foreign oil and
---save us all a lot of grief in traffic is:
************ THE FOUR DAY WORK WEEK - 4-10's.
I worked this way for a software company befoe I moved, and LOVED IT. Just imagine 3 day weekends.....
Times change. We need to as well. There will still be big vehicles in the fleets, so selection will still be there for those with a practical use for them, and even their mileage will be improved.
This is something we all can do - and need to.

Dorfy of SC 1:26PM May 20, 2009