Reply #7: Very tough to do [View All]

[LTR]

First, there would be too many loopholes. GM would make an eco-friendly car, but only to offset the low MPG of the Hummers and Suburbans. Thus, it all averages out.

Second, Ford and GM are hemmhoraging money. Being forced to upgrade MPG standards would encourage internal cost slashing. Meaning that they would shut down even more factories and beef up their overseas operations. And they're already flirting with manufacturing in China. Think a Chinese would boost morale in this country? Doubt it. After all, we already sent all the electronics manufacturing overseas. Cars could be next.

I think the marketplace will decide, and with behemoths like the Hummer fading and fuel-efficient cars like the Toyota Prius gathering waiting lists, it looks like the marketplace is starting to make some fairly important decisions. Heck, even the new Chrysler Hemi motor shuts down cylinders when not needed, to improve fuel economy.