History repeating itself

[George Selby]

At 03:56 AM 3/14/02, you wrote:
>One does wonder..if polls show people really DO want efficient cars,
>and American car makers haven't stepped up to the plate, why hasn't
>Audi, BMW, etc?


I think the result of the 'poll' you keep mentioning in your editorial 
comments is due to the way the question is phrased.

For instance, if you ask, "Would you like better fuel economy in your next 
car?"  Surely everyone would respond, "Yes, sure, who wouldn't."

If, on the other hand, you ask, "Would you like better fuel economy in your 
next car, considering it will have to be a combination of slower, smaller, 
and less crash-worthy, or burn a fuel other than gasoline (diesel is 
usually more expensive than premium gas now, there isn't an infrastructure 
for any other type of fuel.)"  In this case (and this is the present case) 
Americans are answering (with their checkbooks,) NO!

Remember, the best poll of all is the free-market capitalist economy.

George Selby
70 F-100 Ranger XLT 400 C6
78 F-150 4x4 400 4 spd
83 Audi Coupe GT
86 Nissan 300ZX
92 Subaru Legacy Wagon AWD
gselby4x4 at earthlink.net