GM: Restrictive Fuel Economy Standards Would Cause Car Prices to Soar

Lutz and Lasorda are correct in that fixing their current models would cost a lot of money per vehicle. But many of the vehicles that GM and DCX sell in Europe currently exceed many of the proposed "tough" fuel economy standards that the US government is pondering. So why don't US automakers get off their asses and start selling the efficient cars in the USA that they already sell overseas?

Every year automakers make their vehicles heavier and more powerful, whether or not the average customer actually notices or cares. Why not offer sensible cars that aren't laden with unnecessary electronics???

Even premium brands like BMW, which once made some lightweight cars, are getting more portly year after year. Now the M3 needs a V8 to haul all that bulk -- why??? Does anyone actually buy an M3 for the iDrive, navigation system, power windows, and other electronic crap that only diminish performance and efficiency?

Corporate Average Fuel Economy would improve drastically if automakers sold full ranges of economy cars, sports cars, family cars, and utility vehicles. As it is today, North American automakers primarily offer only compact sedans, luxury sports cars, luxury sedans, luxury utility vehicles, and trucks. Clearly not much choice for the consumer, and horrid from an efficiency standpoint.

— moto (View Profile)

Posted on 6/21/2007 2:49:23 AM | | Votes: 1