Quote:
Originally Posted by ebacon
Let us take your argument to an end point. Assume cars could get infinite fuel mileage and have zero emissions. What would people do with that technology? Would they pave over everything?
Detroit experimented with improving fuel economy. Consumers simply took the savings and moved further into the suburbs. And paved their way there.
There is a bigger issue at hand IMO, and it is legislative. Automotive engineering has tried and failed at reining us in.
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You must be joking. Remember the Ford Pinto, Chevy Vega and Chrysler Omni/Horizon? IIRC, the first of the Chrysler's subcompacts actually used a VW fourbanger! So much for your Detroit experiment.
IMO, the concept of fuel economy became realistic to the Americans with the introduction of the Honda Civic in 1975. I still recall a six month wait when I bought a new Honda Accord in 1980.
And, automotive engineering caters to public demand and in Detroit it is usually done by adding bells and whistles.