Finally - we are using less gas. And buying more fuel efficient autos.

[leftyladyfrommo]

Finally, according to an article on Raw Story this morning, we are finally getting the message. Gas usage is down - even with more cars on the road.

And, more importantly, we are finally investing in more fuel efficient cars. Sales of fuel efficient cars are up bigtime. And sales of the gas eaters are dropping.

I kept thinking that at some point Americans would finally start buying the little cars - why just give the oil companies $300 or $400 a month just so you can drive a big truck? Makes no sense to me.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

1. I wonder how much of this is just because people are driving less?

Not that that is a bad thing.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Mixed Blessings...

The downturn in useage can mean many things...including people driving less since they're not working and companies consuming less due to shutting down stores or cutting production. Less production means fewer things to ship...and that's the rub...it is starting to hurt truckers...being squeezed between sky high fuel costs and fewer available jobs...and to auto workers who are being laid off due to the slow down in sales and their company's short-sighted greed to make gas guzzlers while the market was shifting. People are also traveling less that is hurting many economies centered on tourism and the ongoing economic mess only will make things worse.

[fed-up]

3. the news and other programs need to show more videos of European roadways w/small cars

I haven't watched much TV since 911 and saw a show a few months ago (must have been on LinkTV at BF's house) that had footage of the roadways and downtowns filled mostly with small economy cars.

People need to repeatedly SEE with their own eyes that other countries are somehow able to transport themselves successfully with smaller vehicles and that the same can be done here.

News and other programs need to get those images out there!

[taterguy]

4. People buy big trucks because some people value convenience and safety over money

If there was genuine desire to deprive the oil companies of revenue we'd see a lot more bicycles on the road.

It's just a question of degree and comfort level about how far people are willing to go to avoid oil consumption.

One more thing: Anyone who drives a larger vehicle than mine has a smaller penis than I do. It's a proven fact. :)

[DCKit]

5. Well, most of the women, anyway. n/t

[leftyladyfrommo]

6. We all know that the guys with the littles dicks drive the biggest trucks.

and ride macho harleys.

Too funny.

[CRF450]

7. I drive a truck because I have a job and other activities that require it

Doesn't mean I have a tiny dick.

Seriously I find these kinds of equations offensive.

[taterguy]

9. Sorry, there's a proven relationship between vehicle size and male anatomy

I'm not sure exactly how it works though since it's generally much easier to change the size of your vehicle than it is to change the size of your penis

:hi:

[CRF450]

10. If I didn't have the job nor activities to need it, I wouldn't have it.

I hate the fact that it gets 16mpg, but I have to bear with it, no problems with affording it. I do own a car BTW and it gets around 22mpg and 31mpg highway. The truck is mostly used in the summer. My dirtbike gets better than 30mpg.

[gratuitous]

8. And the reaction from the automakers and big oil?

Automakers will continue to churn out 20 mpg behemoths while whining that that's what the American people want. Fuel efficiency is for wienies, and only a full-throated gas-guzzling fuel hog can serve for the modern American. There's always a reason for driving a bigger and overpowered vehicle, and there's never a reason to drive something smaller.

Meanwhile, as demand goes down, the price of gas will go up because the law of supply and demand has been repealed, and the oil companies know that they'll sell everything they have eventually thanks to the automakers. People who want to consume less had better by God be dedicated to consuming less, because every pressure in our society will be brought to bear, from the multi-billion dollar ad industry to the businesses that will convince us we need more than we have to patriotic appeals to keep America looking strong to the rest of the world (or at least to your sniveling little next door neighbor). All will work in concert to keep overconsuming, oversizing, over-the-top markets afloat.

Otherwise rational people will be persuaded that they "need" a Hummer or a 400 hp truck for their job, or their safety, or their peace of mind, and join the chorus drowning other points of view.