35 MPG or bust!

If you own any stock in Alcoa or other aluminum manufacturers,hold onto it!!!It is estimated that more aluminum and other lightweight metals will be used than steel in the automobile industry,in an effort to meet new MPG standards.They still need steel-just less of it.They will be employing the use of increasing amounts of high-strength steel,which cost more than low-carbon steel but is still alot less than aluminum and other alloys.Although automakers in the US have until 2020 to meet fleetwide requirements of 35 mpg or better,insiders say we can expect to see changes as soon as 2011 and we may pay more at the dealership as a result but our decreased need for fuel will offset the cost for consumers.
I would say it is about damn time!Toyota,Datsun & Honda were exporting cars 30 YEARS AGO that were twice as fuel efficient as the Big Three's offerings at that time and proved that it could be done,but it took Detroit too long to catch on.Now,I am not knocking American made cars one bit-my father drove a super-SWEET fire engne red 1969 Ford Galaxy 500XL coupe when I was a little girl and although it probably got single digit MPG's,you could damn near run it into anything and still keep rolling as long as you didn't blow out a tire.BUT.....back in the very early 70's nobody gave a crap about gas consumption because gas was as cheap as tap water and seemingly in just as abundant supply.Then the "get gas on odd numbered days" crisis in 1974 hit us hard!And thats when the Japanese saw their opportunity and ran with it!And their cars not only used less gas,they were pretty dependable too!And then some of the Big Three automakers got into bed with them,producing American nameplate cars with Japanese components.Some Fords employed Mazda engines,some Dodges had Mitsubishi engines,etc.Chevys Geo division were basically Suzuki vehicles with the GM name.Now you have most "foreign" cars & trucks built right here in the good ole USA!
I know some people feel safer in large vehicles that are heavier,but less steel doesn't make for a dangerous car or truck,as long as safety engineering evolves with them.We have to start somewhere,folks!
On a personal note,I just do not know how people can afford to drive gas-guzzlers anymore with prices the way they are right now.My husband drives 70 miles roundtrip 5 days a week to commute to work and yet we spend only 30 bucks a week for his gas!How?Cuz he drives a fuel efficient car.If he were to use the "Totmommobile",my minivan,for the same commute daily,our costs would increase to $75 to $100 a week!Thats ALOT of money when you have only one income in the household!
Soooo...LOL-I have given up my aspiration to some day own an actual restored Plymouth Superbird-even if I could afford the car,I could not pocket the cost of the gas!