My 1997 Ford Escort with 250,000 miles on it that gets 30-35 mpg begs to differ ;^)
Do keep in mind that Bill Ford also wants higher gas taxes.
I have a project for you. Google/Bing this phrase : ford high mileage club, then search honda/toyota high mileage club.
Look through the club list and report back the following: 1- most clubs per mfg, 2- # of members per mfg and 3- highest mileage per member.
Let me know the results.
You've got my '96 Escort beat on miles (230K so far), but I've got you beat on mileage - mine's gotten up to 42 mpg highway in the past (well above EPA est). Averages in the upper 30s.
I bought this car in Feb '96. My neighbor bought his '96 honda civic in August of that year. By the time I had my first problem with the Escort (rear window defroster switch), the neighbor had already replaced the engine in his civic.
I'll put any one of the 3 Fords I currently own up against anything foreign-made.