Higher MPGs to kill U.S. auto industry

President Obama has just destroyed the American automobile industry. In his speech about fuel economy, the projected average miles per gallon by 2016 is to be 39 mpg for cars and 30 mpg for trucks. Currently, there is only one automobile that meets those requirements, and the Honda Civic Hybrid on www.fueleconomy.gov is not an American designed car.

The current average mpg is 25 for cars, which would require almost a 60 percent increase in fuel economy in six years to meet the new standard. The only way to accomplish that is to reduce not only the weight but also the size of the American automobile. Look at the Honda Civic Hybrid and visualize a family of four taking a trip to visit family members or a vacation to the national parks. Any more than four people would require another vehicle.

The American public has gotten used to automobiles that cannot only transport more than four people, but soccer teams and equipment, landscaping supplies, groceries and other items from the discount warehouse clubs.

To reach the 39 mpg average, how many vehicles will Chrysler, GM and Ford have to produce that are over the mileage standard to compensate for the automobiles that Americans are willing to purchase? How many millions of unsold vehicles will dot the American landscape because they are too small and light for the typical American family?

Obama has good intentions and as his previous decisions are not well thought out. These new standards need to take longer than six years to incorporate. Otherwise Detroit is dead and Japan has conquered.

Jack McCabe

Batavia