Reginald P. Smithers, IIII, Esq. wrote:
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson told NPR’s Michelle Norris yesterday:
“The President has said, and I couldn’t agree more, that what this
country needs is a one single national road map that tells automakers
who are trying to become solvent again what kind of car it is they
need to be designing and building for the American people.” Norris
then asked: “Is that the role of Government though? That doesn’t sound
like free enterprise.” Jackson responded: “Well it is free enterprise
in a way.”

That is part of the problem for American car makers today, to much
government interference. The government mandated mileage requirements
force the car industry to build cars that do not fit the requirements of
that average American. This mandate forces the auto industry to put
billions into research and development to meet the mileage requirement.
Then just when the manufactures get close the government changes the
requirements.

We drive a lot, and when you go down I-69, I-77, I40, I-65 etc. for
every small car that practically carries two people at the most you will
see 10 of the Van'/Suv type of cars. Recently we went to Cincinnati,
and came upon three little mini coopers, two people each, in a caravan,
It would have been more efficient to have taken something like my Astro
van where all of the people could be together, and communicate on the
trip and get 108mpg/person (18 mph X 6 people) than to take three mini
getting 80 mpg/person (40 X 2).