If you are truly a senior living on a "fixed income" that means you are retired. If the gas prices are affecting you so much, then just stop driving and stay at home. You can avoid the costs much easier than a non-retired person.
In addition, why wouldn't you have made investments when you were younger that accounted for all costs to increase with the same rate as inflation? Gas prices still have not risen to the levels that they should be if you take inflation into account.
Instead you post that the auto manufactures need to make vehicles with premium technology that are affordable to low or fixed income folks. Do you also want the government to grant seniors a "fuel subsidy", much like the drug subsidy?
Medically disabled; went through a small forture when I became unemployed; was homesless and jobless for 2 1/2 years. People like me don't get to save any money, have investments or a rainy day fund. When a person sinks that low, everything gets sold to take care of every day necessities. Can't stop driving as the public transit system here STINKS! Be very, very thankful that you can afford to put money in the bank and pay for the high prices of food, gas and medical care.
Your comment about expecting a subsidy for fuel and medical didn't sit well with me. FYI, I think the drug benefit plan for seniors is a sham and the only one who will benefit from it are the greedy pharmaceutical companies!