Why hybrid vehicles are ESSENTIAL to America

No, it isn't foreign oil dependency and supporting terrorism, although issues such as Iran will inevitably push gas prices much higher. No it isn't pollution, or even global warming, it isn't even Kartrina or limited oil refineries.

The reason hybrid cars have become so important to America is manufacturing.

There is a great article, China, India seen setting stage for environment-friendly world, which notes that "Energy guzzlers China and India are often blamed for some of the world's environmental problems, but a new study says the two most populous nations may well set the stage for a clean and green Earth."

Further the article states, "The two countries are mastering energy-efficient technologies, implementing cheap and environmentally-responsible transportation systems".

Yet, America is still hyping muscle cars and SUVs to generate buzz for the future at the North American International Auto Show. Fancier, bling-bling gas-guzzling vehicles have no future in India and China, perhaps not even in America.

The only chance America has to sell products to these countries is to sell them the best, most energy efficient technology, at reasonable costs. America, and American automakers, will never have cheaper labor to compete with China and India. Therefore, America MUST have the most efficient and intelligent labor and corporations.

Within 10 years, not only will gas be significantly more expensive around the world, American automobiles will be expensive and obsolete compared to foreign made vehicles, unless they offer extreme fuel efficiency, top engineering and reasonable prices.

Waiting for fuel cell vehicles, which will almost certainly be hybrids anyway, is the surest path to failure for American automakers. Making America the most fuel efficient fleet in the world is an absolute necessity for American auto manufacturers. Plus, wouldn't ending pollution and foreign oil dependency be pretty cool too?