Is the General US Public Ready to Make Their Next Vehicle Significantly Smaller/Fuel Efficient?

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

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"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated

I think the keyword here is SIGNIFICANTLY. Sure we'll see some people switch back to a large sedan & go from 16 in the city to 24-26. But IMHO that's simply not enough since the way people continue to drive they'll be getting 22MPG.

People here in the US simply aren't ready to accept sub 2 liter engines & the concept of a commuter car.

"Speed doesn't have anything to do with mileage. My truck has an overdrive gear for a reason." - Credited to an unnamed Freeper reguarding changing the speed limit back to 55MPH.

In Dallas at least, the answer seems to be no. Whine - yes, take responsibility - no.

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

Best Run >
www.cleanmpg.com

"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated

Unfortunately, what I've found in the Baltimore area is that too many people still believe the hybrid misinformation ($10,000 batteries every 30,000 miles, drivers getting electrocuted, and other fake crap from Talk Radio.)
What I have noticed, however, is that hybrids seem to be VERY popular in the gay community (of which I also belong). I've seen Lots of hybrids that also sport rainbow stripes.

Pretty smart group of people I'd say. This is my opinion that comes from my observation only, but I would say that appears to be the trend here in Columbus as well. Open minded thinkers perhaps.

Maybe not right away - I think some will try to weather the storm in the hopes gas prices will come down (yeah, right). When it doesn't, then I think you'll see a more switching. Nothing like staring at a $70 bill to fill a 20 gal tank to start figuring out there's a lot more fun you could have with that money that drive around...

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

It just seems to me that here in the States, most people have a 'bigger is better' attitude. Many SUV owners say that there behemoths afford them safety in case of an accident. Others just like to gun their rides at break-neck speeds from stop ligtht to stop light, like mini Autobahns. I can't coun the number of times I see high school-aged kids driving around in Suburbans or full size pickups by themselves. One guy I work with drives an H1 Hummer, thoroughly convinced it makes him more appealing to the ladies (no joke!)

People seem to approach their autos with the mindset that they should drive whatever they want, **** the consequences. There is little interest in buy what they NEED.

My $0.02...

John Smash!!

I say no just to the fact that you can't fit a 5 person family in a sentra. My sister and her husband have 2 kids and a nice Dodge caravan.

I could see SUV sales falling while mini-van sales rise. Going from a Hummer to a Civic or Sentra, won't happen.

19,900 miles and (slowly) counting

But do they carry around 5 people every day & all of the time? Probably not.

That's where the commuter vehicle comes in. A used echo or corolla can be had for super cheap & make a perfect vehicle to get 1 person to & from work.

This is what I was referring to when I said that Americans aren't ready to accept the concepts of a commuter car.

Now if only we could get some 1L engine vehicles over here in the states.

"Speed doesn't have anything to do with mileage. My truck has an overdrive gear for a reason." - Credited to an unnamed Freeper reguarding changing the speed limit back to 55MPH.

True, and my brother-n-law uses a 1996 Ford Escort with nearly 200K on it for his 40 mile (round trip) commute each day. Never do they take their kids in it.

A look around my work and you'd be amazed at how many people use suburbans and full size trucks for their 20+ mile commute.

They make tailpipe attachments that can wistle, they need some for these vehicles that sound like cash registers so they can hear their money going down the road

19,900 miles and (slowly) counting