100 Miles Per Gallon That s So 1992
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Vehicles -> subcategory Trucks-SUVS.
100 Miles Per Gallon? That's So 1992
Summary
A recent JD Power and Associates survey reveals that about one-third of American consumers prioritize fuel economy when buying a new car. Given concerns about fuel economy, reliance on foreign oil, pollution, and global warming, it may surprise many that General Motors (GM) created a 100 miles per gallon (MPG) car back in 1992.
The Hidden History of Fuel Efficiency
In understanding GM's journey over the last 25 years, we first need to delve into the remarkable GM TPC. This Two Person Commuter achieved 75 miles-per-gallon. Weighing around 1,000 pounds and resembling a Geo Metro, it featured a frugal 3-cylinder engine. Unfortunately, GM abandoned it after needing to add 200 pounds for safety compliance, a casualty of America's less stringent safety regulations at the time.
Even more surprising is the fate of other efficient GM prototypes like the Lean Machine (80 MPG) in 1982, and others such as the Aero-X, Aero 2000, and the Ultralite, which also achieved 100 MPG. While Honda led with the Civic VX's 50 MPG in 1992, GM was producing 100 MPG vehicles behind closed doors, yet selling 20 MPG cars to the public.
Why Aren't High-MPG Cars Available?
Why aren’t these vehicles on the market? Why do companies like GM, Honda, Toyota, and Ford continue to offer cars with less than ideal fuel economy? The explanation lies in market analyses, government regulations, and economic factors.
Globally, vehicles achieving over 70 MPG have long been available in Europe and Japan. Volkswagen’s Lupo, which gets 78 MPG, may never make it to the U.S. In contrast, Honda’s Fit was introduced to the American market in 2007. However, unlike Japan’s Jazz variant, the U.S. version lacks a smaller engine for enhanced fuel efficiency.
The Economics of Car Manufacturing
Americans have long been told they love big cars?"a narrative pushed by automakers. This isn't about conspiracy theories but economics. GM profits substantially from selling large trucks and SUVs, whereas small commuters yield minimal profit. Manufacturers have convinced consumers that they need these "Tanks on Wheels," boosting profits. Options for more efficient vehicles have rarely been presented to American buyers.
GM could have led the world in fuel economy but chose instead to dominate the SUV market, a trend mirrored by other manufacturers over the past quarter-century.
The Path Forward
Americans should ask not only how they can achieve better gas mileage but why they weren’t offered these choices from the start. In a world where wars are fought over oil, providing more options to an aware public becomes critical. Dusting off those 25-year-old blueprints could be a step in the right direction.
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