Ford introduced the Model T in 1908. It got 21 miles per gallon and was remarkably inefficient. Now a hundred years later, latest industry-wide statistics show that the average fuel economy for a new car is 17.2 mpg. And this is more efficient?
What in the world is going on in Detroit (and everywhere else, for that matter)? We talked about Detroit's lousy fuel economy attitude before (click here), but then we didn't know about the Model T numbers.
If we can put a man on the moon (more than once) and shrink a computer from a massive room down to a laptop (and increase its capabilities in the process), how come we haven't figured out how to substantially increase mpg across the board?
Worse yet, mpg numbers are going the wrong direction. It hasn't been this bad since 1979 when it was about 16 mpg. In fact it went up from there. Sure the numbers bobbed and weaved a little but they were generally up. Now? Worst numbers in 29 years. And back then it was much, much worse than the Model T. I'll give Henry that one. At least he didn't invent a gas guzzler when he started out. How we turned it into one is just mind boggling.
It can't all be just because we put an a/c and radio in the car. It can't be just because we put smog devices on them. Something stinks here, folks. Only thing we can't figure out? Which stinks more, the Big Oil Companies or Detroit's mindset. Either way, it's high time for a change.
No one in Washington has forcefully pushed for better mpg mandates for nearly a decade. Why not? Conservative politicians gather major donations dollars from oil companies and car companies. Time for a change, folks.
A short while back we got a phone call at home one night from a local pollster. They asked if we would favor replacing the local 3 term mayor or keeping the mayor for another term. We bluntly said "replace the Mayor." When asked why, the answer was simple. Every once in awhile you have to make sure politicians know who's in charge.
It starts at the top and it flows downhill. If you want to get gas mileage up, you have to vote for someone who cares more about people than about corporations, Big Business and Big Oil. Folks, it's that simple.
Until then, you'll get more lemons from Detroit and they won't go that far on a gallon of gas either. For now, if you've got a lemon, call or contact us. Getting rid of lemons everyday is what we do. We were doing it before there ever was a lemon law (heck, we were doing it before some of those other lawyers were even out of high school).
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known nationwide as a leading Lemon Law attorney, Ronald L. Burdge has represented literally thousands of consumers in "lemon" lawsuits and actively co-counsels and coaches other Consumer Law attorneys. From 2005 through 2018, attorney Ronald L. Burdge has been named as the only Lemon Law Ohio Super Lawyer by Law and Politics magazine and Thomson Reuters Corp., Professional Division. Burdge restricts his practice to Lemon Law and Consumer Law cases. The Ohio Super Lawyer results are published annually in the January issue of Cincinnati Magazine. Ronald L. Burdge was named Consumer Law Trial Lawyer of the Year 2004 by the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the nation's largest organization of consumer law private and government attorneys. "Your impact on the auto industry has been magnified many times over because of the trail you blazed for others," stated NACA's Executive Director, Will Ogburn. Burdge has represented thousands of consumers in Ohio, Kentucky and elsewhere since 1978 and is a frequent lecturer to national, state and local Bar Associations and Judicial organizations. Burdge is admitted to Ohio's state and federal courts, Kentucky's state courts, and Indiana's federal courts. Other court admissions are on a "pro hac" temporary, case by cases basis.