Short Sighted

Is about the nicest thing I can say about Detroit's auto makers. They refuse to make their vehicles more fuel efficient and actively work against making them more efficient. By keeping congress on a short leash, Detroit's auto makers are working against the will of the people.

The poll also found that Americans want Congress to boost fuel efficiency standards. Four out of five respondents, including 86 percent of Democrats and 76 percent of Republicans and independents, said that they would support “Congress taking the lead to achieve the highest possible fuel efficiency as quickly as possible” by raising the fuel-efficiency requirements for U.S. vehicles to achieve the goal of 40 mpg.

These cars are available in Europe but not the US. Of the top 10 most fuel efficient cars in the US none are made by American companies. German auto maker Volkswagen is going after the Toyota Prius with a new diesel hybrid Golf that gets 70 mph. That will fly off the car lots.

India's Mahindra&Mahindra is going to have a diesel hybrid pick up for sale in 2010. It should get 40 plus miles per hour. Detroit insists that the technology is not available to make fuel efficient cars. But they lie like a republican.

Italy's Iveco makes hybrid diesel delivery trucks and vans for Fed Ex.