Lutz: GM must respond to demand for gas guzzlers

Lutz at the Volt debut

"It remains a fact that the American public buys big, high consumption, cars," claims GM's Bob Lutz in a recent interview. Moreover, Lutz goes on to state, "The mass movement towards 'green cars' is only taking place in the media".

Except for the Toyota Prius of course.

Lutz goes on to claim that the Obama Administration wants automakers to build more fuel efficient vehicles than will be achieved via the recent changes in CAFE. However, the only way to make such a move happen is by making gas prices reach European levels, and that would, according to Lutz, be too devastating to the economy.

So, I guess Congress and the White House will just pour money into GM et al to build enough 'green' vehicles to appease the press, while GM focuses most of their efforts on meeting the demand for gas guzzlers?

Cash for clunkers joke moving forward

A good reason to buy a hybrid? Not!

So, you've got an old '97 Chevy Tahoe that you want to unload, but no one will buy the old 4-wheel drive clunker as it only averages 13 mpg.

No worries. The government will take it off your hand for $3,500 if you buy a new Chevy Tahoe 2-wheel drive that averages a whopping 16 mpg under the new cash for clunkers bill, according to the DetroitNews.

If you have an old truck that achieves less than 18 mpg, the government will give you $3,500 if you buy a new truck that achieves just 2 mpg more than your old truck. Fortunately, passenger cars require an improvement of 4 mpg to qualify.

Did I really say "fortunately"? LOL.

Is driving a Hummer a privilege, a right, or a crime?

Is responsibility a dirty word?

Is driving any vehicle you want a god-given right? Today, MotorTrend is asking its readers, "Is driving a privilege or a right?"

Initially, I thought it was a privilege, but I've come to think it's a right that all qualified citizens are entitled. However, that right can be taken away if certain laws are broken because the safety of the people is more important than any individual's right to endanger other people.

Still, what about the kind of vehicle you drive? Should consumers have the right to drive any vehicle they want?

Don't we make speed limit laws, etc. for the benefit and safety of the community? Likewise, shouldn't the government make laws outlawing vehicles that endanger the safety of the people? Hence, if gas-guzzling threatens the national security of the US, does it not threaten the people of the US?

Tax credits for guzzlers - Does it ever end?

One last dance on the Congressional gravy train?

I've had a hard time not commenting on the plan, now part of the stimulus package before the Senate, to give consumers a tax credit for buying new cars. So, I'm just going to get it out of my chest.

Are you kidding me? Foreign-oil sucking, 911-causing, gas GUZZLERS?

This is change?

I say, F cars right now, unless we're talking a serious change, such as a plan to end foreign oil dependency by 2020. If not, just give Detroit enough money to stay above water for now. That's it. We'll sort it out later when there is time for a better plan.

Besides, if it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger, right?

I mean, really, if you wanna spend a trillion dollars today, there should only be one focal point: the real estate and the mortgage mess.

Isn't that the root of our problems in the first place? So, why focus on anything else right now?

Don't have any ideas?

Here's one. Since the banks screwed us on this thing in the first place, let's just force them to lower rates on ALL mortgages significantly, or something like that.

They owe us, right? Direct and simple. Transparent.

But tax credits for gas guzzlers? Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom right now.

I hate gas guzzlers

Gas guzzler.

Gas guzzler, gas guzzler, gas guzzler.

You see them everywhere. Huge SUV gas guzzlers. Luxury sedan gas guzzlers. Sports car guzzlers. Gas guzzlers everywhere.

But driving a gas guzzler is fun. It's about more than transportation. It sends a message. It tells people you can afford the gas. It makes you feel powerful. It can make a dork feel cool. A short person tall. A poor person rich. An impotent man virile. It's not about driving. It's about perception. And, since life is so short, why shouldn't you just do what you want, drive what you want?

Finish: I hate gas guzzlers