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Originally Posted by (from the article)
Since October, AutoNation Chairman and CEO Mike Jackson has called for a gas tax increase of as much as $1 per gallon -- offset with credits for low-income drivers -- to push American car buyers toward more fuel-efficient vehicles.
In a panel on energy issues at the Washington Auto Show, Jackson said, while he is concerned about a consumer backlash, company research found that 60% of buyers would be willing to pay those taxes if they were a part of an energy independence policy.
Jackson said such taxes are necessary because market forces won't demand higher fuel economy otherwise. Despite record fuel prices last summer, he said, fuel economy ranks just above cup holders in terms of consumer demands for new vehicles.
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Mr. Jackson is full of crap. Why the hell does he think hybrids have waiting lists and are selling for MSRP or more while Hummers and SUVs pile up on dealers' lots??
(Answer:
market forces!) Apparently he was hibernating during the post-Katrina price spike, when the resale value of some SUVs went all the way to zero as their owners tried to dump them for hybrids and other high-FE vehicles. Those "non-existent" market forces strike again!
Of course, since Mr. Jackson likely has his own chauffeured limousine to take him everywhere
at company expense, the tax hike he advocates wouldn't affect him at all.
Nor would I trust that "company research." Any poll or survey can easily be rigged by carefully choosing the respondents, asking loaded questions, etc. Case in point: In 1995 a nearby school board wanted to float a nine-figure bond issue (with massive tax hike to pay for it). About 10 days before the election, the county's liberal fishwrap touted its poll showing solid support for the measure. The actual vote was 3-to-1
against, ranking the paper's poll story right up there with "Dewey Defeats Truman."
Detroit Free Press: Hybrid Roundup
Re: Detroit Free Press: Hybrid Roundup
