Sluggish Auto Makers

Despite the fact that Bush and Cheney can't be bothered with developing an energy policy and promoting such useful things as fuel efficiency, there is a market in America for cars with better mileage. Americans want cars with better mileage. Someone ought to tell the auto makers. Here's an article/letter from the Union of Concerned Scientists:

TO: Jim Press
President
Toyota North America
19001 S. Western Avenue, Torrance, CA 90509

Dear Jim,

You’re killing me.

Well, not really, but your counterparts in Japan won’t let us Americans in on the best kept secret in the hybrid vehicle world today -- the Estima Hybrid minivan. Yes, this slightly smaller than the Sienna, but still a seven-plus seat minivan has been cruising around the Japanese highways and byways since 2001 getting around 40 mpg on the Japanese fuel economy test (it would be different in the U.S.). I believe the market forces at work here in America would tell you that the Estima hybrid could be as big a success in America as your new Camry hybrid is poised to be.

I, like many in America, have kids. My other car is a station wagon, but the time has already come when grandparents come to town, or my boys’ friends are over for a playdate, and five seats (especially with two car seats) is not enough. Many American families need more seats, and the best fuel economy on the market for a minivan with an automatic transmission is the Honda Odyssey 23mpg. Quite simply -- not good enough for me to even consider trading in the ole’ wagon.

On the other hand, a 40 mpg minivan with as many as eight seats? That’s a revelation, and I want in.

Americans want a better future and a better energy policy. If auto makers are too set in their ways to provide better auto mileage, it's time for Washington to get with it.