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I forsee the death of SUVs and large commuter trucks ( F150, Silverado ) as OPEC countries start to slow down oil production. The American public will not tolerate anything more than $2.00 a gallon ( average ) and we are going to be staring down high gas prices in the future. G Dub Bush has stalled that for 10 years or so by throwing billions of dollars into taking over an oil producing country ( Obviously, we now have more leverage against OPEC using Iraqs capacity... )
As for cars and horsepower, I see the safety nazis severely curbing back the horsepower of cars. Already, states are making laws to keep people from getting killed on the roadways ( seat belt laws, anyone? How about vehicle safety inspections? ) and the next step is slower cars that are incapable of doing 90 mph up a 30 degree slope. You know, a really convienant way of slowing down cars is making them hybrid.... which would kill two birds with one stone. The hybrid technology is here to stay, and it will start showing up more and more as the government creates more incentives for it.
How can we justify slower cars? Simple.The country is no longer as dependant on its' interstate systems with flying being as cheap as what it is. The prices will just go down as more and more people start flying as oppossed to driving 55 on a congested interstate. You don't need a 298 hp car to drive 60 or even 70. It is possible to keep fast acceleration with a low top speed... it's all in the gearing. CVTs- Continously Variable Transmissions... will start to replace the automatic... the technology is far too superior with no real drawbacks other than cost. And cost can always be lowered.
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