Hi, Guest
05-11-2007, 03:19 AM
I don't know if Feinstein eats tofu or not, but IMO she's got the right long-term view of the situation.
The auto industry has maintained a significant lobby in DC against increases in CAFE standards - so that over the past 30 years (since the last major oil crises) the industry itself has generated no improvements that weren't mandated by government.
Bottom line: the market and the industry have proven themselves to be unwilling or unable to drive significant improvements in fuel economy and they've had both a wake up call ('73) and a lot of years to do it. Relative to what's needed and what's techically possible the car companies have done a p!ss poor job, and with the artificially low cost of gas in the U.S., the automotive market continues to be skewed way too far towards trucks and SUVs.
If Bush is to live up to just one commitment he's made, let's hope it's the one about stopping America's addiction to foreign oil - and a significantly higher CAFE standard is exactly what the Doctor ordered IMO.
The auto industry has maintained a significant lobby in DC against increases in CAFE standards - so that over the past 30 years (since the last major oil crises) the industry itself has generated no improvements that weren't mandated by government.
Bottom line: the market and the industry have proven themselves to be unwilling or unable to drive significant improvements in fuel economy and they've had both a wake up call ('73) and a lot of years to do it. Relative to what's needed and what's techically possible the car companies have done a p!ss poor job, and with the artificially low cost of gas in the U.S., the automotive market continues to be skewed way too far towards trucks and SUVs.
If Bush is to live up to just one commitment he's made, let's hope it's the one about stopping America's addiction to foreign oil - and a significantly higher CAFE standard is exactly what the Doctor ordered IMO.
torradan,May 10 2007, 09:54 AM Wrote:Figures, authored by a democrat in California. Go eat some tofu. Probably rides a segway while using her blackberry too.
I don't even know why a bill is needed here, the car companies seem to be doing fine on their own. its slow going, but MPG numbers seem to be creeping up.
I don't see the gov't penalizing oil & gas companies at all. What do they consider an emergency? Compared to the emergency I have in my wallet right now paying $40 to fill up a frickin FOCUS? Granted, its running 93, but its only 20 cents a gallon higher than the regular 87. A whole $2.50 difference, give or take.
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2008 Fusion SEL MTX - DD1 * 2009 Fusion SEL - DD2 * 2007 Focus ZXW - R*I*P * 2004 Focus ZTW CD Silver - sold * 2004 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2003 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2001 Focus ZTW Gold - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Black - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Gold R*I*P
2003 Focus ZX5 infra-red Track Rat - R*I*P
2003 ZX5 CD Silver Track Rat - retired, but still in the driveway
New track rat: 2000 ZX3, Atlantic Blue * JRSC with lots more to come
* New Zetec crate motor - NFG - thanks Topspeed *
2003 Focus ZX5 infra-red Track Rat - R*I*P
2003 ZX5 CD Silver Track Rat - retired, but still in the driveway
New track rat: 2000 ZX3, Atlantic Blue * JRSC with lots more to come
* New Zetec crate motor - NFG - thanks Topspeed *