[richlevy]

On this topic I am in complete agreement with TW. In the midst of a single party controlling both Congress and the White House, noone stood up to address the importance of reducing oil consumption. This was part of the administration's "business must know what it's doing and should not be interfered with, even if the results are of strategic importance to the US" policy.

As a result, the first companies with hybrids were Toyota and Honda. Ford had to lease the technology from Toyota and started by putting it into an SUV, not a sedan or coupe.

As of 2006, besides the Ford Escape hybrid, most American cars barely made it past 25 mpg.

Of course, with gas prices rising, these decisions will cause GM and Ford to rightfully fail in the marketplace, after which we as taxpayers will be asked to bail them out. So when the government could have interfered to effect a resolution that was necessary for national security and the economy, nothing was done. But when it comes time to insulate the parties from the results of their bad decisions, we will be there in time with taxpayer supplied money to make sure that the executive's bonuses and pensions are secured.

“The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools.”


From here. These numbers are from 2006

Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient American Cars:

1. Ford Escape Hybrid - 36 mpg city / 31 mpg highway
2. Chevy Aveo - 26 mpg city / 35 mpg highway
3. Ford Focus - 26 mpg city / 34 mpg highway
4. Chevy Cobalt - 25 mpg city / 34 mpg highway
5. Ford Fusion - 24 mpg city / 32 mpg highway

Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient Japanese Cars:

1. Honda Insight - 60 mpg city / 66 mpg highway
2. Toyota Prius - 60 mpg city / 51 mpg highway
3. Honda Civic Hybrid - 49 mpg city / 51 highway
4. Toyota Corolla - 32 mpg city / 41 mpg highway
5. Toyota Matrix - 30 mpg city / 36 mpg highway

After doing some math, I figured the average of the top five American cars gets 27.4 mpg in the city and 33.2 mpg on the highway, while the average of the top five Japanese cars get 46.2 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. This equates to 68% better gas mileage in the city and 48% better gas mileage on the highway for Japanese cars.