This letter is guaranteed to catch a lot of flack because it implies that someone is doing something better than the good ole USA, but I think Frank makes a good point. There is something pitiable about watching someone whining about the price of gas while they are filling up their Hummer. He rightly notes the reasons for the differences in attitudes, differences in travel distances & expensive fuel and I would add there is a difference in the relative affluence our peoples.

We have used our cheap fuels as an excuse to figure out ways to waste more of it. The sizes of our vehicles are obscene. No one needs a 4 ton vehicle to pick up groceries.

There are three ways to improve fleet efficiency.

1. Voluntarily.
2. Increase gas taxes and then let option 1 take over
3. Madate it by law that fleet effiency must rise (CAFE).

Option 1 by itself is what we are practicing now. It will work as the market price of gas rises, that is as we run out of supply we will come up with a way to lessen demand. Until then it pretends that there is no problem. In my way of thinking the solution comes when it's too late.

Option 2 will be a serious drag on the economy period.

Option 3 is the solution that I prefer. It doesn't impose a drag on the economy and it acknowledges the problem today and starts us working on a solution. It is true that at sometime in the future we will still need to transition to a non-petroleum economy but this will buy us more time and lessons that we learn in making a more efficent fleet won't be lost after that transition.

Lilly's been looking for you.

I know Dan probably blew a gasket just by reading the title here so I figure I throw the first punch on what will be some interesting posting here.

When Cheney was pressed a few years ago about why not force the auto industry to produce more fuel efficient cars(Meet the Press). His arguements were based mainly on two key points. First that the market should determine what cars were to be built and that the auto industry had pointed out that to produce more fuel efficient cars they would sacrfice safety.

To the first point I saw a man filling up his Hummer complaining about the high prices. I thought only go look in the mirror.

Second point, about giving up safety for fuel efficiency: Dont tell that to the germans, they have some of the safest cars in the world with great fuel mileage. If Cheney was to say this to some german engineers they would only say We're doing it.

Auto-makers in America have played the style over substance card way too long. Our cars wear out (by design) twice as fast and lose their resale value sooner than their European and Japanese counterparts.

If Detroit ever comes to its senses, it probably won't occur until the flag wavers are wearing rain barrels.

Hayes,

Just to add to your point you are more likely to get killed in an SUV than a sedan. (rollovers and trucks aren't held to the same safety standards as cars)

One other point, don't think the Japanese carmakers aren't going to come out stronger as gas gets dearer.

Hayes, Been gone for a few days, so just read this one. A few things not mentioned: Europe is much smaller in geographical area and has more population density. This necessitates mass transit and is why the train and bus systems are so well developed.

Many streets in Europe, particularly in cities, were designed before cars existed. I remember fondly the narrow, one lane roads that meandered through town. Gas is taxed to the limit in Europe, therefore most people cannot afford a large car. Bottom line, we really can't compare apples to apples here.

I didn't own a car when I lived in France. I got along fine on my bicycle and the trains. I did see the results of accidents in cars the size of Geo Metros hitting something at 80 mph, not pretty.

As for the writer who states: "But why shouldn't consumers also demand that 21st century technology "catch up" to auto manufacturers and dealerships to offer us basic, high-quality and extremely fuel-efficient alternatives?"

I wonder where he has been the last 2 years with the development of hybrids? My father in law had to wait 6 months to get his hybrid and it was not the color and equipment he wanted. Consumers have demanded and the market has answered. Always has, always will.

No blown gasket hayes!!

Hello , I am a European living here is Greensboro.
Just would like to say I agree with a lot of what has been said here except that people do like a nice looking car overthere as well. In Germany for instance an Auto is very much a source of pride and extension of personality, maybe as much as here, hence BMW,Porsche,Audi and so on...
The reason we don't buy gas guzzling cars is simple and its the price of a gallon (or litre) of the precious liquid. By the way there are also a lot of very nice small cars to pick from in Europe too.
That market will grow here as the price of oil continues to increase.
Message...Sell your SUV's while you can!

Dan
my point was not so much comparing but I shake my head when I hear Cheney, the auto industry and insurance companies say what is not possible to do, ie a safe fuel efficient car, when I see them driving around everyday in germany.

But in some ways Cheney is correct if Americans want these huge SUV's why change.