The consumer is the king, and when consumers decide its time for fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars, the manufacturers must fall in line. Vehicles for the 2007 model year are projected to touch an average of 26.4 miles per gallon overall. This is a new record, with a gain of 1mpg from the previous year and 0.2 mpg higher than the previous record of 26.2 mpg in 1987.
Rising fuel prices and an increased awareness of the environment helped the cause. These factors teamed up with new technology and the auto industry’s desire to boost up its green credentials to give a push to the average miles per gallon overall. Sales of hybrids and small cars are on their way to a record high, while gas guzzling trucks and SUVs see a decline in their fortunes.
Honda Motor Co. leads the way with 39.9mpg average for its imported vehicles and 33.7 mpg for vehicles produced in the US. The Detroit giants are working their way up the average mpg ladder with GM leading the way. GM improved to 29.6mpg, Ford averaged 28.8mpg while Chrysler LLC jumped up 3mpg to 28.6mpg in its domestic production.
Toyota holds the second spot, averaging 38.5mpg for imported vehicles and 31.7 mpg for vehicles produced in North America. The company, however showed a fall of 3mpg from the previous year and holds the unenviable spot of being the only manufacturer whose trucks are slated to a decline in fuel economy.
David Friedman, a researcher with the Union of Concerned Scientists called Toyota’s figures discouraging and added:
At the same time Toyota’s producing ads with hybrids driving through green fields, it’s making less fuel-efficient vehicles
Overall, the passenger cars are likely to see a gain of 1.2mpg and average 31mpg. Trucks, SUVs and Vans show a projected increase of 0.7mpg and are likely to average 22.9 mpg.
With the upcoming stringent CAFE norms dangling like a sword over the heads of automakers, the only way for the ‘mpg’ is upwards.
[Via: Breitbart]
