Lutz: Americans like gas guzzlers

[MikesZ]

From gminsidenews.com:

In a news interview Thursday, GM's Bob Lutz pronounced that Americans prefer larger vehicles that consume more fuel. It appears that "culture change" is not coming easily for US drivers, in fact larger vehicles are preferred based on the latest sales figures. Will Nancy Pelosi lead the charge to add extra taxes to larger vehicles? Will we be able to even get a V-6 powered car in the future (never mind a V-8)? Will your Camaro SS soar in value in the future as V-8 enthusiasts scamper to collect those relatively few remaining muscle cars worth having? Its going to be interesting to see what develops over the next few years.

[FenwickHockey65]

Americans do like gas guzzlers. Just look at what they bought under C4C.

1. Ford Escape
2. Ford Focus
3. Jeep Patriot
4. Dodge Caliber
5. Ford F-150
6. Honda Civic
7. Chevrolet Silverado
8. Chevrolet Cobalt
9. Toyota Corolla
10. Ford Fusion

[DropTheGloves]

1. Ford Escape- Not bad on gas for an suv, check out the stats on it
2. Ford Focus- Not bad on gas
3. Jeep Patriot- unsure of
4. Dodge Caliber- unsure of
5. Ford F-150- not the best on gas
6. Honda Civic- Not bad on gas
7. Chevrolet Silverado- not the best on gas
8. Chevrolet Cobalt- Not bad on gas
9. Toyota Corolla- Not bad on gas
10. Ford Fusion- Not bad on gas

6 out of the 10 are not gas guzzlers, so I really don't know what you are talking about. Those 6 get decent gas mileage.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Americans do like gas guzzlers. Just look at what they bought under C4C.

1. Ford Escape
2. Ford Focus
3. Jeep Patriot
4. Dodge Caliber
5. Ford F-150
6. Honda Civic
7. Chevrolet Silverado
8. Chevrolet Cobalt
9. Toyota Corolla
10. Ford Fusion

C4C is a bogus comparison to what Lutz was referring to. He was referring to total domestic sales trends, not what sold under C4C.

[DropTheGloves]

One thing I have noticed about Bob Lutz is that he talks way too much. For example, about the g8, and wanting to bring it back as the Caprice. I don't believe the guy what so ever. I will believe it when I see it.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by MikesZ

C4C is a bogus comparison to what Lutz was referring to. He was referring to total domestic sales trends, not what sold under C4C.

Then look at the top sellers...F-series, Silverado, and Ram are still on the Top 10 list.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Then look at the top sellers...F-series, Silverado, and Ram are still on the Top 10 list.

I know, but he was referring to the larger domestic sales reports.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by DropTheGloves

One thing I have noticed about Bob Lutz is that he talks way too much. For example, about the g8, and wanting to bring it back as the Caprice. I don't believe the guy what so ever. I will believe it when I see it.

I'm sure he made some people nervous. I even cringed. But he was accurate in his statement, as evidenced by domestic sales trends.

[DropTheGloves]

I'm not worried, yet. Will take more than just talk to make me believe.

[My new Camaro]

i dont like gas guzzlers . if my camaro got 30 mpg i would be more than happy. but dont mess with my v8

[DropTheGloves]

Originally Posted by My new Camaro

i dont like gas guzzlers . if my camaro got 30 mpg i would be more than happy. but dont mess with my v8

That honestly makes no friggin sense. You don't like gas guzzlers, but don't mess with your v8. Easy answer for this is to get over it, 99% of the v8's out there guzzle gas.

[GTAHVIT]

I think what he's alluding to is, we should work to make the V8 more efficient...

[carsismeZ06]

Bob Lutz is completely correct. It's in our blood and culture. All American's want iron, Detroit, muscle cars.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by GTAHVIT

I think what he's alluding to is, we should work to make the V8 more efficient...

I am thinking the same thing. It is possible to make the V8 more efficient, and it doesn't hurt for there to be some encouragement of that sort of development. Unfortunately, most governments find it more useful politically to pass heavy fines against motor companies, taking them on rather than espousing them

It is also noteworthy that the cars being bought under government programs still represent individual transportation. If everyone sells a car for another car, the difference in emissions will be there, but it will be insignificant as far as greater influence. Much of the world has poor emissions regulations, and those parts of the world increasingly purchase and produce vehicles with less restrictive policies on how vehicles are built. The American and European initiatives serve better as stimulants to stagnant economies than opportunities to substantially reduce pollution numbers, especially since the US scraps all of the cars rather than recycling them and since European cars tend to end up being sold internationally rather than destroyed as the American cars are. In summary, environmentalists who proclaim that these car incentive programs are great for the environment are greatly mistaken. Much more good could be done by replacing busses with San Francisco-inspired electric trolleys or by substantially investing in solar, wind, and water power sources in place of part of the nation's gas power supply.