Cynthetiq

CAFE standards were supposed to push those numbers into the stratosphere, but because of trade offs, things like giving away the FORD FOCUS since it's higher in gas mileage allows for the higher profit margin yet lower mileage vehicle like the Town Car to be sold. CAFE ratios allow for this type of "trade off" because the CAFE goes by an AVERAGE mileage instead of pushing the envelope across the board for ALL vehicles. So the manufacturers knowing that the government will act on them if they don't act themselves, have pledged to push the SUV gas economy upward by X% by the year 200X. IMHO Why wait???? The technology exists now and can be exploited now, but because it cuts into profits, they have no interest in doing so now.

So in essence had they allowed development like the small engines for fuel economy and power, the SUV market should have made those same kinds of stride.

While I do agree, my father wanted a Suburban long ago but was put off by the 7MPG rating, and isn't all that impressed with the current 15-20MPG rating, compared to the other vehicles in it's class which are just slightly higher.

Behemoths are a USA trend for sure, but it's not just USA, Icelandic Super Jeeps are a norm out there as well. USA also is into LARGE engines and GOBS of HP, which is why the MINI COOPER One sells well overseas (90HP) but will never be a seller here in the US.

It's late, I'm a bit fuzzy on it right now, but that's the gist of it.

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