Only two 40+ mpg models available in the U.S., 113 overseas
Filed under: MPG
We reported the general outlines of 40mpg's survey that was released this week before the news was officially out. And it took a reader to remind me that we never then followed up with the official details. Allow me to rectify that. The headline is that there are only two vehicles (but the study doesn't include hybrid vehicles, as far as I can tell) sold in the U.S. that "achieved combined gas mileage of at least 40 miles per gallon," down from five two years ago. Is that progress? Certainly not. 40mpg says "America is now stuck in reverse when it comes to fuel-efficient vehicles." Especially when compared to 40mpg+ vehicles for sale outside the U.S., when the numbers rose from 86 to 113 in the same time period. 40mpg deftly points out that it's not life American manufacturers don't know how to make these kinds of cars: "Adding insult to injury, nearly two thirds (74 or 65 percent) of the 113 highly fuel-efficient car models that are unavailable to American consumers are either made by U.S. auto manufacturers (e.g., Ford and GM) or foreign manufacturers with substantial U.S. sales operations (e.g., Volkswagen, Nissan and Toyota)." These are the cars you so often hear pine for.
40mpg and Civil Society Institute worked on the joint study, which also found overwhelming evidence that Americans want to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles. You can read all the details - and download a spreadsheet with automobile fuel efficiency data over at 40mpg - but I just wish we could stop seeing these types of studies, and start seeing cleaner cars on Route 66.
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[Source: 40mpg.org, h/t to Stedwoo]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-16-2007 @ 9:10AM
Phil L. said...
Sadly, the typical American consumer complains about fuel economy to the folks who conduct opinion polls - but then shuns smalls cars with small engines when in the dealership.
The automakers aren't dummies. They see what sells, where it sells - and where it doesn't.
Europeans have shown their willingness to pay a premium price for a small, quality car. Given the choice, Americans traditionally opt for a larger, spartanly-appointed car over a well-optioned small car. High fuel prices haven't yet overcome this factor.
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2-16-2007 @ 9:19AM
Phil L. said...
>>> The headline is that there are only two vehicles (but the study doesn't include hybrid vehicles, as far as I can tell)
Actually, the two US-sold vehicles they list are the Prius and Hybrid Civic:
http://www.40mpg.org/comm/modelinfo.cfm?all40=1
But, mysteriously, these two vehicles aren't included in their spreadsheet...
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2-16-2007 @ 9:50AM
Tim said...
Americans are simple minded fools addicted to Jerry Springer TV and Status Symbols like Hummers and SUVs. We are greedy, neurotic and petty. We buy what we are told will make us feel better about ourselves by making our neighbors jealous of us. We buy what we are SOLD!
Big Oil has always taken advantage of these character flaws. They sold us the idea that “electric cars are for girls.”
We may never know the true cost of our intentionally manipulated addiction to Oil. http://internalcombustionbook.com
Listen to this mp3…
http://stadium.weblogsinc.com/autobloggreen/audiointerviews/edwinblack.mp3.
Europeans have the same faults. The ONLY reason why they have more fuel efficient cars is that their fuel costs more.
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2-16-2007 @ 10:45AM
Karkus said...
The headline looks bad, but it isn't really the gov't or the automakers' fault (OK, their marketing is at fault, as are the low gas taxes). But the main problem is us. People have always had a few high MPG vehicles to choose from in the US, but they never sold in large numbers, so the automakers didn't bring more over.
By the way, there are several vehicles right around 40 mpg, but they didn't make the 40 mpg combined cut. Also, 2007 represents an anomaly, because VW pulled out their diesels for a ear while the US changes over to ULSD and improved emissions standards. We'll get more choices again in 2008. (If they had taken the survey in 2006 or 2008, I think they would have found the # of high mileage cars is staying about constant.)
I applaud the aims of the 40mpg.org, but it seems they are more interested in showing how bad things are and showing cars we can't get, rather than showing the good cars we can get TODAY.
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2-16-2007 @ 11:55AM
Paul said...
Being born in Europe and then moving to North America, I can tell you why there aren't more smaller efficient cars on the road here. In Europe, people buy more efficient cars because gas is nearly double the price it is here. Secondly, the roads are often smaller and driving a big car is a pain in the butt. The cost perspective has also driven the popularity of diesel for larger cars (my parents have had diesels for about 15 years). On the whole, it has nothing to do with how environmentally friendly people are over there.
I guess another observation is that people here are on average a lot bigger and have a harder time fitting into small cars.
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2-16-2007 @ 1:52PM
Mat said...
Tim, don't you think you're selling us a little short? I'm not saying there haven't been wrongs, but I do feel there is hope.
As for 40mpg's findings, aren't they forgetting about all of the 08 diesels that are supposed to be coming out this summer? The VW TDI will be in the Jetta, and probably the Bug, Rabbit, and Passat. I imagine Audi will grab it soon too. Subaru is supposed to announce a diesel boxter in two weeks...
It doesn't get us to where Europe is, but it's something.
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2-16-2007 @ 8:19PM
George Krpan said...
Yeah, well, the trouble is that you can't buy a Suburban that gets 40 mpg.
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2-01-2008 @ 1:09PM
FJ said...
People are slowly moving back to cars, but they still like a Suv in the family fleet. People have good intentions but when they go on a test drive and see chrome wheels and big bumpers rolling by face high they get another opinion real fast. Plus at $3.OO a gallon I can still buy alot of gas compared to the cost factor of a hybrid, especially since thier so called,cool status has waned!
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