The confusion began here when you said consumers would not buy fuel
efficient vehicles until this that or the other thing happened. I pointed
out that these vehicles exist and are selling nicely already. This is not an
absolute statement, since it should be obvious that MORE of these vehicles
will be sold as fuel prices increase, and as the current crop of
still-useful vehicles ages and needs replacement.

It did NOT disagree with anything you said in your last paragraph beginning
with "I can't figure out...". One exception, though: Oil prices are largely
disconnected from supply and demand. If you believe otherwise, you are not
familiar with how daily prices are REALLY pegged by speculators. The price
increases of the past 12 months are wildly out of proportion to changes in
supply & demand.

"Juan Valdez" wrote in message
...
Doug,
I can't figure out what you are saying. Are you saying gas prices are not
controlled by supply and demand? Do you not agree that we can
substantially reduce our consumption by buying fuel efficient cars? Are
you disagreeing with the experts when they say the only long term
solution is to find alternative energy sources, and at the current price
of fossil fuel there is no economic incentive to developed and market
alternative energy? Do you think everyone including Al Gore missed the
boat on this?

pHs - how did you like my boating reference?


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
Stop into a Toyota or Honda dealer, ask to speak briefly to their most
experienced salesperson, and ask what's selling. Or, you could just look
around. I agree that too many gas pigs are sold to people who have
absolutely zero need for a truck of any kind, but that doesn't negate the
fact that cars like Corollas and Civics are selling like hotcakes, and
they're not even in the category of "high efficiency", compared to
vehicles like the Prius (50+ mpg).



"Juan Valdez" wrote in message
...
Doug,
What is silly is your inability to see the obvious. There is one reason
for the increase of gas prices. There is an increase in demand, without
any increase in supply. Consumers will not pay for better fuel
efficient cars until the cost of the gas guzzlers make it worth their
while. The fact that a few people buy fuel efficient cars, does not
negate the fact that too many people are buying gas guzzling SUV and
Trucks, while keeping their home thermostat set at 78 degrees.

Heck even Al Gore who was dumb as dirt, knew you had to raise the cost
of gas to make it economically viable to find alternative energy
sources. Al's idea was to tax gas $3/gal and use the tax to find
alternative energy.


"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Juan Valdez" wrote in message
...
Most of the people in rec.boats who complain about the price of gas,
are driving trucks with low mpg and boats that burn tons of gas. If
they really were concerned about the price of gas, they would buy a
hybrid car and a either a trawler or sailboat.

They refuse to see the obvious. Consumers will not buy a fuel
efficient car or boat, or pay for alternative energy sources until the
cost of petrol fuels make it worth while to do so.

That's silly. There are plenty of fuel efficient cars being sold. It's
been that way for years. Even a basic Corolla gets over 30 mpg. Same
with models from Honda. Dealers don't need to whore these out with
stupid "employee discount" offers, as do the big 3.