the politics of fear, along with a big helping of BS

 

I’m not a big fan of CAFE either, but this article is so full of merde.

1. OK, so a car that gets 35-40 mpg will cost $6,000 more.  That will be, of course, 2020 dollars, adjusted for inflation and the average annual cost that occurs for each model year every year.  So, by 2020, the actual cost increase from now will be about $20,000.
   Is that 35 mpg supposed to be freeway or city driving?  I can get 32 out of my 6 year old Impala right now on the freeway.  Did that mean it was years ahead of it’s time when it was new?  And, it’s paid for.  I would spend money on a new drivetrain for it before I would go $50,000 into debt for a rollerskate.  Maybe I should put away a couple of new engines and transmissions just in case congress outlaws selling parts for cars that don’t meet these new standards.  Don’t laugh, they would do it if they could.  What do you think emissions tests are for. 
   I would like to see the truck that gets 35 mpg (or even 25) while pulling these huge RVs that people have. 
   Oh, and by 2020, the price of gas will be at least $6 per gallon, maybe more.  Saddle yourself with a $700 per month car payment AND pay that price per gallon.  You can drive a lot of miles at 25 mpg for that $700 per month for your rollerskate.
   Sorry about the rant, but I get so disgusted by this stuff.

   Posted by John C       01/18/2008  at  05:20 PM  



2. The price of fuel in the UK is largely dictated by taxes. It’s currently over $2 a litre. That may be why cars are generally more fuel efficient, though there are plenty of SUV’s on the roads here. I don’t know how people can afford to drive them. My diesel VW gets 52mpg on an imperial gallon (motorway driving), probably 42mpg on a puny US gallon! It goes like stink too. I am all for choice and resent government interference, but at the same time we really need to put an end to dependence on scumbag regimes like the Saudis, Russia, Iran and that horses arse in Venezuela. One suggestion I read recently was the idea of using off peak electricity from nuclear power stations to generate hydrogen. The problem is no one wants to make the investment in hydrogen filling stations. The oil companies aren’t interested because oil is easy money. The car makes won’t bother because it’s chicken and egg. We need to think more strategically. The people in these countries despise us. We need to break the connection and put the squeeze on them for a change.

   Posted by LyndonB       01/19/2008  at  10:43 AM  



3. OK.  Here we go.  The car companies build what people want.  In the US, (God bless America) we can choose what we drive.  Compared to Europe, people in the US are:
   1.  Larger in size on average
   2.  Have more children
   3.  Own more stuff
   4.  Travel farther

   Hence, SUV’s became popular.  Most have the added benefit of being 4wd.  The distance from Berlin to Rome is just over 700 miles.  The distance from El Paso to Beaumont TX is over 800.

   There is not some vast right wing big business conspiracy to build gas guzzling cars.  The car companies are highly competitive and will build what people want.  The market determines model mix.

   The other factor that plays into the size of vehicles is labor.  GM pays over $80 per hour including health benefits for factory labor. (GM is the largest health provider in the US.) You can’t hide $80 per hour labor in an Aveo.  It’s much easier in an Escalade.  Toyota, Nissan, & Honda made arrangements with the unions to belay most of the expensive regulations when they built plants here.  They have a labor advantage.

   They also have a tax advantage.  Our automakers pay tax when sold in the US or when they export.  The Japanese & European makes only pay tax when sold in their country, exports are exempt, like ours should be.

   The Democrats have started us down the path to Socialism with this legislation.  The state knows better what you SHOULD drive.  It will be smaller & lighter & kill more people in accidents.

   Government just needs to get the hell out of the way.  Higher gas prices have already changed the market.  They will continue to do so.

   Posted by Stick       01/19/2008  at  11:13 AM  



4. .....and there’s one little bit missing from all these arguments.  The car companies either own or have business relationships with the people who are making those 50 MPG cars!  There isn’t any new technology involved!  There aren’t even any licensing difficulties beyond the posturing of the car companies.  Why is anyone talking about the price of developing the technology?

   Posted by Dr. Jeff       01/20/2008  at  10:52 PM  

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