You are the Gas Company's Bitch
70
Having lived in the UK, the US and Europe, one thing I can say with absolute certainty is that American cars are garbage. They are fuel guzzling behemoths designed to appeal to the American “bigger is better,“ ego and ensure that the gas companies sell an awful lot of fuel.
Now that GM and Chrysler have gone broke – that may change, but I very much doubt it. The simple fact is – no one wants a car that uses as much fuel as American cars do. And no one really wants a car that is a crappy as a typical American car. I have driven many of them. Fords, GMs, Chryslers, Trans Ams, Mustangs, just about any car you care to name. They all have two things in common – they do not go ‘round corners and they drink fuel like it grew in the ground. Oh – wait a minute.
I will give you an example. A short while ago, I borrowed a friend’s Peugeot 407 station wagon for a couple of weeks. After a few trips, including two trips to Italy, I became worried that there was something wrong, as the fuel gauge did not seem to be going down. Just in case, I stopped and filled up with gas, Diesel in this case. No – nothing wrong – it just wasn’t using the amount of fuel I expected it to. Bear in mind this is a pretty enormous station wagon with a 2.0 litre HDi engine. More than fast enough thank you (126 mph), goes ‘round corners like it was on rails and gets around 50 miles to the gallon driven carefully.
Europeans laugh at the insane fuel consumption of American cars. How many US built cars can get 50 miles to a gallon of fuel? Not a lot that is for sure. The average US car gets 27 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg in the city. And SUVs are even worse: 16 mpg highway and 13 mpg city driving.
I agree, fuel consumption is not the only way to measure a car, but seriously guys, the flat out acceleration from a standing start thing has you beat too. A Peugeot 407 HDi will do 0-60 miles an hour in 9.7 seconds. The 2007 Chrysler Pacifica, which, as far as I can tell is the US equivalent, manages a similar 0-60 time of 9.59 seconds, but needs a 3.8 liter V-8 engine, which drinks fuel at the rate of 24 miles per gallon.
Simple maths. The Chrysler Pacifica’s engine is almost twice the displacement - 3.8 liter vs 2.0 liter and gets less than half the gas mileage -24 mpg vs 50 mpg.
You are the gas company’s bitch every time you are duped into buying American.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
Although some folks do need more power due to transportation needs(especially when I was studying in midwest some of the students were from farmer family and they need trucks for utility purposes). But overall I do agree that gas companies have dictated to the Auto companies for a long time but things are slowly changing with alternate fuels and electric cars. Btw I have a Honda :P
@ GW - Oh dear indeed !
@ CW Alternate fuels and electric cars LOL - You are too nice for your own good. How many folks do you think need more power due to transportation needs? :lol:
Yes but my "junk" is bigger in my Chevy 4x4 than it is in import stuff. I don't fully understand the physics and physiology behind it, but it's totally true.
LOL - Yes I do.
YOU are the only one that thinks your junk is bigger. Your woman knows it is still the same size LOL
She doesn't look anymore, so she believes whatever I tell her.
hehe.
I don't even want to know :)
We settled on a 2010 Honda Insight and it has to last us until we die. We're selling our other cars, except for my Mitsubishi (it only gets about 27 mpg) and the gas hog pick up which we never drive but we need it once a month or so to haul stuff (like wood pellets). The Insight gets between 48 and 58 MPG depending on how warm it is and on whether Bill is driving it or I am (I have a lead foot, it's a tragic disability).
We're trying to pare down as much as we can because we feel that, although we hope we are wrong, the word is turning to shit and fast.
Shades, logically speaking, your junk should LOOK bigger in any eensie weensie car.
I'm just saying.
Now, in this light I got sorta puzzled - why my wife insisted on Murano?
@Pam - LOL
@ Misha- See Pam's comment :)
You should translate eensie weensie for me then :P
I you do not like big car ride bike like in China. I do like big car.
It should, Pam, but it doesn't. That's the inexplicable physics thing I was talking about. It's like a gift from the universe or something proving how cool I am and America is or something. What can I say, I'm just a pawn in the schemes of Fate.
Misha, obviously your wife chose the Murano because she knows there is no need for artifical automotive enhancement in that area. :)
Shades, you are truly Ford tough!
It's an American thing, Euro-dudes wouldn't understand.
(The Insight is pretty sexy though. I think Bill looks great in it.)
LOL
Misha - Nissan Murano = The Only Crosover to bring it all to you. :)
I am not sure about how many (maybe less than half the folks may not need in the first place) but was just trying to understand the folks who do need. Don't you think America is slowly moving towards fuel efficiency (even a law was passed recently by Obama I think at least 35 MPG). Btw I love my Honda Civic as it keeps going on and on with least refills (and parking is a breeze) :-)
As I always say to my wife, "Objects in mirror are larger than they appear."
@CW - Most Americans do not live in the country. Plus I think you need to read what I wrote. Double the engine size. Same performance. Half the gas mileage. :)
@ CR - that is what I always tell mine. :)
Now you all lost me completely. Murano burns 13-15 MPG, so it is supposed to be in penis enlargement category by Mark's classification :O
Lawl@CReilly
LOL Misha - LIke I said - See Pam's comment :lol:
I agree not everyone needs more power and in case one needs for the odd day one can always rent a uhaul or something. I know in India we have Maruti 800 CC cars in which 5 people travel and to think here even Bikes like Hayabusa have more than 1000 CC is crazy. We really don't need more power and more ever more power as you said when it doesn't even generate more performance than it is absolutely not needed. I hope we will slowly and eventually move towards more fuel efficient and greener alternatives (we have already spoiled this planet enough).
@ CW - That was my point. These are 2 similar cars. Much the same price, size and performance. The Peugeot has an engine half the size that gets double the gas mileage.
You are the gas company's bitch every time you buy an American car. :)
I hope the Peugot company thanks you for doing a good PR job for it. ;)
LOL - They are French. No thanks will be offered. I was more poking fun at the American car company's willingness to screw the American public.
Well I guess French aren't thankful for the obvious good facts being mentioned but still a little pat on the back by folks like Princessa from France would be good.
Yes, sometimes we need to learn the hard lessons and trust me Americans have learned (you would be surprised at how many Prius cars I have seen in our office parking during last 2 years compared to when I just started here). Trust me American public are learning. :D
Good to know. But my real dig was to the American car companies, who think they can keep on doing this.
Are you assuming they would still be "American" or "Companies"(with heavy govt stake)...LOL
PS: Already Fiat(Italy) is having talks with Chrysler.
Yes - I know. And who knows which car company is buying who. Porsche, VW, Opel, BMW. Land Rover, Jaguar,...... what a mess. Let's just say that no one ever lost any money underestimating the American public and leave it at that. :)
Well I just wonder why can't the govt impose more taxes on the oil companies and direct that money to revive the Big 3 Auto companies instead of taking the general public money for bail out. Any thoughts on that? I mean those who benefited need to pay the price now (or is that not an appropriate thought)
You are the Gas Company's bitch. As is the US Government Inc. ;)
You probably still paid more overall for your gas, than those from the US does.
The people from the uS don't understand why Europeans can't get their own oil, and why their governemt has such high taxes on the gasoline.
You are the Government's B)((* for taxes.
Keep on hubbing!
Sad to say, but you hit the nail on the head! I can't help but wonder what it will it take for the American public to wake up and smell the coffee? Honestly, can anyone say the writing on the wall wasn't obvious? And if any of my fellow Americans out there think "You are the Gas Company's Bitch" is a hard truth to swallow, then think about this, just how much did the average taxpayer unwillingly contribute to the 8.7 trillion dollars spent in bailouts in the last year and a half?
I lived in Germany for a number of years while in the Military and I can not agree more. The writing was on the wall in the 70's for the Big 4 (there was 4 major auto makers in the 70's American Motors went under) and they failed to take note of the competition. Instead they fueled "Buy American" campaigns to inflame mis-placed patriotism to support their "More Bucks for US" mentality. Now they are screaming for bailouts. I am sorry, they need to go under. They had their chance, I say goodbye, and good riddance. If they want money, perhaps Exxon will help them out...then again, I am thinking not so much. Exxon will still make their money, and they will not lose a wink over the demise of the U.S. Automakers, nor the millions thrown out of work by their greed before quality mentality. Great Hub!
Here is the road to the future for auto makers. Mercedes recently bought into this company. Something like nine percent I think.
http://www.teslamotors.com/models/index.php
The internal combustion engine could have been phased out decades ago. Only the obstructionism of the oil giants and the auto makers that bow to their wishes prevented it.
The internal combustion engine needs to be tossed on the scrap heap of history ASAP. There's no question we have the technological wherewithal to do it.
It's simply the short-sighted capitalist mentality of immediate profit before any other consideration that is dragging the entire human race over a cliff.
LOL Richard, capitalists are all over the globe, yet gas guzzlers are THAT popular only in USA. As usual, you misplace your anger :)
Let me assure you that not all Americans love gas-guzzling cars nor are they driven by their egos to drive them. I have driven an Infiniti for years and get great mpg. When working I traveled to and from by bus. Now we have the rail to take us about...Some of us do economize...Were you having a bad day when you wrote this article???? :-) LOL
@ eovery - No. I almost certainly paid less in real terms, but I am not really sure what your point is. It is OK that the gas companies are screwing you because the European gov Inc is screwing me lol?
My point was and is that it is possible to make similar performance cars that use less than half the gas. And if you do not think that the money to pay for these car/bank bailouts will eventually HAVE to come from increased taxes and inflation - where do you think gas prices in the US will go in the next few years?
@Uriah - It is a hard truth to swallow. Maybe we can do something about it?
@trooper22 - Quite right. I could care less if all the automakers go under. And many of them are in trouble in Europe also.
@CWB - I agree completely. I had a friend who worked in the design department of Jaguar - they had a "lean burn" engine on their books in the 60s and were told to put it on the back burner until such times as it was " in the national interest." lol
@ Misha - Yes - Where I live there are probably the most gas guzzlers in Europe - but I rarely see one.
@ Nancy's Niche - No, I was not having a bad day. I was just using provocative language to make a point. I know that not all Americans buy gas guzzlers - but an awful lot have been persuaded to for ego.
"You probably still paid more overall for your gas, than those from the US does."
It's not just about what you pay for the petrol, it's about how much you use. Americans use obscene amounts of energy per capita, and inefficienct transport is one of the reasons why.
The US has several cars that get 40 mph. Your Peogeut is diesel, which has approximate 20-25% more energy per gallon, so that makes several of the American cars get as good as gas mileage as your car. What your point?
I have 4 children and drive a van that get 22-25 mpg. They will not fit in your small car. Am I to drive 2 vehicles, like that would save gas. We use what it takes. A lot of people own trucks for their work. It may seem to be inefficient transport, but most deem it vital for the pace of live we life, and see other types of transportation to be too restrictive, let alone even feasible.
We work at keeping the cost down and the taxes down so we can afford to use them. European gas is highly taxed. Which fits my comment, that Europeans are tax slaves (to use a nicer word_ to the government, as the Anericans are becoming as taxes are increasing.
Also, many of us do not like driving small unsafe cars. Many of the small cars in Europe does not make the safety critiria of American cars, nor the emissions restraints. The "smart car" that I am starting to see showing up around the U.S. looks to me to be death traps. I will pay a little more money for the safety of my family.
Yes, there is a different mentality in the US than Europe on energy. So who's to says who is right. Things are different here than in Europe.
Keep on Hubbing.
Um - what small car? The Peugeot 407 is about the same size as the Chrysler Pacifica. It will certainly hold 5 adults.
And I am not aware that American cars are any more or less safe than European cars. Bigger is safer? Not understanding that one little bit. The road traffic accident death rate in the USA is higher in the US than in France:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_safety
Which is surprising given the population density is higher genarally.
So, I do not see how American cars are safer than European cars. A lot of people do not need trucks. I lived in the US for ten yars and by far the majority of the people do not need a truck. I would have thought you understood that you are actually putting your family in danger by having all those trucks running around.
Plus I do not see how you can be defending this position. By critiscising the Europeans for something completely unrelated.
Yes - there certainly is a different mentality in the US. :)
Enjoy your gas guzzling truck, and it really is because you need it and it is saafer - not so the gas company can continue to sell you twice as much gas as you need.
You really are the gas company's slave - if you don't like the word I used. lol And they have even got you wanting to be. Taxes will be next.
My parents also had 4 children. They had two peogeut (can't spell that, damn) 505 cars, with 3 rows of seats, but not a "people carrier" type design. Had a 2 litre engine, good power, and decent mpg (averaged 44 mpg). You don't need a tank with 4 children.
My Dad had a Fiat 126 with three kids. :)
I like your wiki link Mark. It clearly illustrates that there is no correlation between speed limits and road safety :)
LOL - I know. The UK Government Inc has covered the country in friggin' speed cameras - and the death toll is unchanged. All they do is collect money - which goes to pay some pencil pusher to send out speeding tickets.
I did not say they were unsafe. I said many of the cars are not allowed in the US because they will not pass the safety standard tests and some are not allowed in because they do not meet the emission standards. We have different standards that need to be meet, than the standards in Europe.
Most of the "standards" required in the u.s. are dictated more by the corporatocracy than the regulatory bodies that are ostensibly responsible for them.
The "government" in amerika is owned by corporate interests and functions largely to enable capitalism to spread unhindered over the entire planet.
Should this scenario continue on its present course we will soon be living on a "Third World" planet.
good info. good hub
@eovery - the words "death trap" and "pay a little more money for the safety of my family" fooled me . :) I understand you are having difficulty swallowing how stupid your government and the oil companies think you are, but it looks like they have got you hook line and sinker.
And as CWB rightly points out - the standards are not for your safety. Any more than speed cameras are. lol
Mark, I got to agree with you to an extent. Fuel efficient with decent power is a good thing, but there is just something to be said about the throaty growl and classic beauty of a beefed up muscle car that newer cars just can't compare with. And the truth of the matter is, no one made a classic muscle car like the US! Of course, that is more of a toy, and show piece than a daily driver.
Actually - I don't think anyone else tried to make a muscle car. That was solely a US thing lol. I do like to hear a decent older Mustang though.
So true - sad - but true. I believe that the technology exists to get far more than 50 mpg but the oil companies control the government - too much money in their pockets for campaigns.
Oil companies really don't care Trimar. And car companies sell what is in demand. So blame yourself or your neighbor :)
I think Mark is right on. There are many gas saving inventions, that major American car companies have bought the patents to and buried. Inventors do not see the results of their hard work, just more gas guzzling.
The change in gas has also harmed the gas mileage in old vehicles. A 1960 something two cylinder Ford Galaxie could get 23-28 miles per gallon, tuned correctly. Once leaded gas disappeared from the market, the mileage decreased to 12-16 mpg. In my old car, I was able to up the gas mileage to 23 mpg by adding a bit of diesel each time I filled up and keeping the carburetor set lean. (Do NOT try this in newer cars. They have aluminum blocks, and you WILL blow the engine!)
The title alone made me truly Laugh Out Loud! Good info, unfortunately we Americans are not into change, especially when they threaten to stop writing paycheks to us. We actually pay to get screwed..:-)
LOL - we do in Europe too - but for different reasons. :)
Well I like the first car.
I kind of like ANY car right now, though.
The only American car I ever owned was a Saturn, when they first came out. In General, American cars have never appealed to me.
Gypsy Willow says:
6 months ago
Oh dear!