The Wall Street Journal had an article in it's Thursday edition that illustrated in stark terms some of the reasons for the complete and utter decay of the American automobile industry. The big three automakers met with members of congress to request a slow down in the efforts to increase fuel efficiency standards.
According to the journal, "GM's Rick Wagoner, Ford's Alan Mulally and Chrysler's Tom LaSorda told congressional leaders that a 35 mpg fleet-wide target isn't cost-effective or technologically achievable". They didn't explain why, that after a nearly 30 years that they have been unable or unwilling to take the lead in fuel efficient technology.
Instead they have attempted to exploit legislation that has allowed trucks to be held to a much lower standard. That of course is the primary reason why we have seen the explosion of SUV's on the roads in this country.
While they have sold a great deal more of these vehicles over time they have also seen their domestic and international market share shrink in favor of company's that have focused on efficiency. Even now, as gas prices hover just above three dollars Honda and Toyota are beginning to give even more attention to such models as the Fit and Civic. They rightly are expecting that the auto buying public will switch to something more economical rather than give up their ride!
The argument from the big three is that congress is attempting to force them to build cars that Americans won't buy. The argument being that the lightweight fuel efficient cars are not big enough nor powerful enough to lure American buyers into their show rooms.
How is it possible that people in these positions can be so blind to world economic and political events? The leaders of these companies have literally driven the most powerful domestic industry ever seen into near bankruptcy and they still argue against common sense.
Why isn't the chairman of General Motors saying this, "We will be the world leader in fuel efficiency in the next ten years." It is not exactly the equivalent of President Kennedy's declaration that we would put a man on the moon but it might be more of an important event to the country at large.
The time has come for a line in the sand to be drawn and for these companies to step up to a national challenge. We are one or two events away from five or six dollar a gallon gasoline and we still don't have industry leadership prepared for the challenge. What will it take to wake these people up?
