New Fuel Efficiency, Emissions Standards
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,798
Likes: 0
I can't agree with this, because the market says the opposite. Hybrids do NOT outsell non-Hybrids. And the best selling vehicle is the F-150, not any of the MANY vehicles that get much better mpg. And I will bet you right now that the F-150 will again be the best selling vehicle in 2009. While mpg is desirable, it clearly isn't THE factor that drives buying habits.
Guys, I think this thread has gotten out of hand. Sure, we'd all love it if trucks got more efficient. And they will, the 2009 SFE is a V8 that is as efficient as the previous gen V6. But I think to expect the same size and weight vehicle to achieve a 50% increase in mpg in just a few years is unrealistic.
And more to the point, mandating it via laws isn't going to make it happen - people buying it or not buying it will. THAT is the main point I'm trying to make.
Guys, I think this thread has gotten out of hand. Sure, we'd all love it if trucks got more efficient. And they will, the 2009 SFE is a V8 that is as efficient as the previous gen V6. But I think to expect the same size and weight vehicle to achieve a 50% increase in mpg in just a few years is unrealistic.
And more to the point, mandating it via laws isn't going to make it happen - people buying it or not buying it will. THAT is the main point I'm trying to make.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
This is the kind of thinking that has put GM and Chrysler where they are now. You are trying to say that if you had a choice of 2 trucks. One that got equivalent of 60mpg and one that got 18 mpg that you wouldn't go for the higher MPG model. Of course you would and so would 99.9999% of people. I'm not talking hybrids here as we all know how useless these really are. I'm talking about a Full electric with 4 motors, one for each wheel and a massive battery. If it could do 200- 300 Miles on one charge then this would be fine for 95% of truck buyers. Even if it had a $10k premium over the standard engine F150, people would still go for it. The great thing is a truck would be able to carry a massive battery because it could take place of the transmission, engine and drive components. It can be done as we have already seen ford do this exact F150 as a concept. They just need to invest more money and get these concepts to market.
Anyway, your argument is pure opinion. Nothing in today's market supports what you are saying. BTW I'm not passing judgment or saying what is or isn't wise. I'm telling you that the market dictates.
Hybrid car buyers pay a couple of thousand extra dollars over what others are paying for a comparable car. By most calculations, this extra expense will not be recouped in gas savings by the owner. As a result, the Toyota Prius, for example, doesn't even outsell the Toyota Corolla. I believe that Honda dropped the Insight due to lack of sales. So people won't pay a couple of thousand more for, say, 25% better MPG. And you suggest totally electric cars - which suggestions a massive investment estimated at at least a trillion dollars - at a time when global car sales are down (btw, hybrid sales are down 44% YTD). And you are suggesting the market would pay $10k more for one? Well, I assume you are putting your $ where your mouth is and investing heavily in electric car companies. And I'm sure you bought the SFE ... no wait, you got the Platinum. See, more important things that MPG.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Austin
So because someone hasn’t created one yet, the technology doesn’t exist? You truly believe this nonsense? Last weekend I watch a show where students from several colleges participated in a competition where they created vehicles which drove themselves on a track with others vehicles. They had to follow the road, obey street signs, avoid hitting other cars, park, etc. It was really cool to watch.
Now is we can do that, we have the technology to make truck a lot more fuel efficient. That is what I believe. Trucks that give 30+ mph isn’t a huge leap from where we are now which is the high teens to low 20’s. And please get off this conspiracy theory kick. The only one who keeps bring it up is you.
Now is we can do that, we have the technology to make truck a lot more fuel efficient. That is what I believe. Trucks that give 30+ mph isn’t a huge leap from where we are now which is the high teens to low 20’s. And please get off this conspiracy theory kick. The only one who keeps bring it up is you.
