The Promise NOT Kept

In the 1970's and 80's when the first oil crunch hit fuel prices went through the
roof and there was gas rationing. No there was no coupons but if your
plate number was even then you fueled your car or truck on even numbered days.

The promise was given by the BIG THREE AUTO makers in the USA to
develop fuel efficient cars, trucks and to start developing alternative fuel sources.

BUT the catch was it will take 15 to 20 years to develop this technology
and get it to market.

Well it's now coming up on 30+ years. where are the fuel efficient cars and trucks, where are the alternative fuel's?

The BIG THREE AUTO makers are still saying that the technology is 15 to 20 years away. Japanese auto makers have been selling hybrid cars here for several years now. Japanese auto makers will start leasing hydrogen fuel cell
cars this fall in California, Washington D.C. because that's where the fuel pumps are.

Seems to me that every one tied in to big oil in this country just pay lip service to the problem.

I am done ranting now!
Wing-Nut

Well of course they'd say that, but I bet even then they had no plans to actually do it. If they did, their friends in the oil business wouldn't be too happy, and in the end for these giant companies having good relations with the other giant companies is more useful that being socially responsible in your business practices.

Shame really, as you said, everyone is just paying lip service. As usual the Japanese seem to be ahead of the game! At least they still have some of their famous honour, unlike the rest of the developed world.

[edit on 3/8/2008 by GrooveCat]

reply to post by Wing-nut


You are partially correct, but for most of the 80s and 90s fuel more specifically oil/gas prices stayed relatively stabled, in fact were in decline, coupled with that people's tastes changed. American's tastes for small cars went out of fashion, you know the small cars from the seventies they went away as fast as you can say "disco", and gave way to bigger cars, trucks, and finally the SUV. The American public wanted bigger cars, so they got bigger cars, Japan is the leader in the industry of smaller car with higher fuel efficiency, because the cost of fuel in Japan is a lot higher and the country is pretty small in terms of roads and space. The people in Japan simply have no need for SUVs, Japan manufacturers thus catered first to their domestic market, but now that we have high gas prices all around, people's tastes are fast changing to what they can afford. Just go out to a truck or SUV dealership today, they can't even give away those cars fast enough.

So to put it perspective, we as consumers decide what products should be produced and when. The manufacturers of products just try to fill our wants, and needs. Those that can change the quickest to fulfill that need will win out and those that fail will go out of business.

the big 3 are about bankrupt now they wont be around in the recovery cycle
the economic system of America
So what they have to say is worth squat

But the three auto makers are losing lots of money now and looks like they will go bankrupt very soon. Thats because they were listening to the oil companies and not looking forward. Afterall, how big of a car really does a person need. Next they would be selling us 18 wheelers as the new SUV's. People never learn.