Posted on 06/12/2002 2:36:03 AM PDT by liberallarry
DETROIT, June 11 — When it comes to fuel economy and the environment, there is Honda and there is the rest of the auto industry.
The difference has come into sharp relief as battles rage over how to curb the nation's swelling appetite for oil.
Honda is the only major automaker that has not joined the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the industry trade group that has led the fight against tougher fuel and emissions standards.
I think you should buy what you want, but I see no justification for the government injecting itself in the fuel economy issue on any grounds whatever - current "standards" included. The auto industry should respond to market forces, not mandates from the government based on some energy independence objective.
Fuel efficiencies are improving and if Honda can prove its approach in the marketplace the demand from consumers will swing other manufacturers in that direction.
The market will definately support the development of high MPG vehicles should the price of oil shoot sky-high once again. I'm more inclined to believe the government would be more disposed to creating an artificial oil crisis first rather than push MPG legislation, that would come later. Al Gore had it all worked out in his own facist little way. Ban the Internal-Combustion Engine and take it from there.
Personally I think everyone is in favor of the development of higher MPG engines, but no one is interested in driving an SUV with a 12 foot crumple zone nor pay $40,000 for a Honda Civic.
Hillary probably has a plan in the works to convince us that's a good thing, I imagine.
When that is no longer true, you gonna sell your house to buy a car that provides a few more MPG?
Makes sense to me...
Our security isn't tied to fuel efficiency of our vehicle fleet. There's plenty of oil out there and shifting where it's bought makes more sense and is easier to change than is implementation of higher fuel efficiency of US vehicles IMHO.
Russia is anxious to sell us oil and has lots of it. Simply shifting purchases away from the middle east and to Russia can be done with government help - and relatively quickly. The reduced flow of dollars to terrorist supporters can be accomplished in short order, going this "change who we buy from" route.
I know this was true of electric cars, but are you sure this applies to hybrids - particularly Honda hybrids? This company has been profitable - for years - in areas of the market which have defeated others.
There's no doubt Joichiro Honda was a genius, and it seems to have rubbed off on the next generation. No Edsels for this company.
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