| According to a new survey by JD Power and | | | | The short answer to this question is simple: While the |
| Associates, approximately one third of consumers in | | | | U.S. continues to sell its traditional vehicles, other |
| the United States consider fuel economy to be a key | | | | vehicles are being bought and sold far from America, |
| factor when purchasing a new car. With fuel economy, | | | | by the same companies. |
| dependence on foreign oil, pollution, and global warming | | | | Vehicles that can attain over 70 miles per gallon have |
| weighing heavy on the minds of so many people | | | | been sold in Europe and Japan for many years. |
| recently, it may be a surprise to learn that in 1992, | | | | Recently, Volkswagen produced a vehicle called the |
| General Motors actually produced a vehicle that | | | | "Lupo" that is a perfect example. This vehicle, which |
| achieved 100 miles per gallon (MPG). | | | | achieves 78 miles per gallon, likely will never be sold in |
| In order to get a better idea of what General Motors | | | | the USA. For the 2007 model year, Honda has |
| has been doing for the last 25 years, it is important to | | | | introduced the Fit to the US Market (known in other |
| first learn about another amazing vehicle: The GM | | | | parts of the world as the "Jazz"). In Japan, the Jazz |
| TPC. The TPC (which stands for "Two Person | | | | comes standard with a smaller engine and a few |
| Commuter") was able to obtain 75 miles-per-gallon. It | | | | fresh ideas to help boost fuel economy. In the USA, |
| weighed approximately 1000 pounds and resembled a | | | | the Fit doesn't have the smaller engine and isn't even |
| Geo Metro. GM abandoned the project vehicle, which | | | | an option. |
| contained a frugal 3-cylinder engine, when they needed | | | | Americans have always loved big cars, or at least |
| to add another 200 pounds of reinforcement. This | | | | that's what they tell us. They, of course, are the auto |
| unfortunate turn of events can be blamed on GM's | | | | manufacturers. This has nothing to do with conspiracy |
| need to comply with America's then lax safety laws. | | | | theories and everything to do with economics. When |
| While the existence of such a vehicle may be | | | | General Motors sells a giant truck or SUV, they make |
| shocking to some, what is even more shocking is the | | | | a lot of money. When they sell a small two-person |
| existence of other prototypes made by General | | | | commuter, they make next-to-nothing. As a |
| Motors that met the same demise. These vehicles | | | | consequence of this realization, all that was needed |
| included the GM Lean Machine (80 MPG) in 1982, along | | | | have been broadcasts of a few finely focused |
| with a number of other fuel efficient vehicles like the | | | | commercials to the citizens of the richest country in |
| GM Aero-X, the GM Aero 2000, and the finally the | | | | the world. Manufacturers have persuaded the citizenry |
| GM Ultralite (which had achieved 100 miles-per-gallon). | | | | that they absolutely need these "Tanks on Wheels". |
| While Honda was leading the world with the Civic VX | | | | Profits skyrocket. To remind Americans that there are |
| in 1992 (achieving 50 miles-per-gallon) the USA- owned | | | | no options, merely look at the fact that the options |
| General Motors was producing 100 MPG vehicles | | | | heave never been presented. |
| behind the scenes, all the while selling 20 MPG vehicles | | | | General Motors had the chance to be the world leader |
| to the public. | | | | in fuel economy, which it turned down to be the world |
| 100 miles per gallon is not only obtainable, but it already | | | | leader in SUVs. GM is not alone, as every other auto |
| has been obtained. | | | | manufacturer has produced similar vehicles over the |
| One obvious question must be asked. Why are these | | | | last 25 years and denied the U.S. access to them. |
| high gas mileage vehicles not available for sale? Why | | | | Americans should not only ask how they can get |
| do companies like General Motors, Honda, Toyota, and | | | | better gas mileage, but most importantly ask why they |
| Ford continue to sell 30 MPG vehicles when something | | | | have never been given that option in the first place. In |
| so much better was made before? The answer to | | | | a world where wars are waged over oil, more options |
| that question is, of course, a complex one. Market | | | | should be offered to a concerned public. Perhaps |
| analyses, surveys, polls, government regulations, and | | | | blowing the dust off of 25 year old blue prints is a |
| other red tape held back efficiency. | | | | good place to start. |