New fuel economy standards for 2011 vehicles on clarkhoward.com

New fuel economy standards are coming for all 2011 vehicles. The average passenger car will have to get 30 miles per gallon and the average truck 24 miles per gallon.

Yet while that is happening, smaller fuel-efficient cars and hybrids are piling up unloved on dealer lots. Many people are making a lifestyle choice to buy big trucks again now that gas is no longer $4/gallon.

Oh, we have such short memories!

Meanwhile, the new version of the Segway that's coming out is a total "Clarkmobile" if there ever was one! This two-wheeled two-seater, being produced in conjunction with GM, is slated to hit the roads in 2012.

So Clark is now considering ditching his scooter and getting a new Segway instead. At least, that's what his wife wants him to do! The original Segway, introduced about 8 years ago, was supposed to change our lives, but only found very limited market appeal.

The whole discussion really reminds Clark of his three-wheeled Freeway, which got 100 miles per gallon and seated three people. Now that was a car!

What others are saying

Better gas milage
Are you aware that cars get better gas milage in south america and europe? They are from american brand cars to Fiatts to opels. We have it the car companies just dont want to build it, maybe a nice kickback from oil companies?
By Jay N FL @ 04/09/09 09:26:41 PMreport abuse
Why gas standards have to change
The gas mileage standards are average across an automaker's entire product line, not for every individual car. It doesn't mean lower mileage cars are going to vanish.

But there is no such thing as a totally free country. Choices each of us make affect other people. When gas guzzling vehicles harm the air every one of us is breathing and continue our dependence on a limited and mostly foreign oil supply - with all the economic and geopolitical problems that causes - no, you don't get unlimited rights to do whatever you want.
By Jayde @ 04/09/09 06:50:32 PMreport abuse
Performance
I also think we are letting the government have way to much control over are lives. This is a free country after all. I love high perfomance cars like the Ford Mustang for example and don't want to be told by the Gevernment that I can't owm a fast car. But I guess a nerd like Clark would not understand why I feel so strongly about this. Buy the way, Wake Americans and start buying US made cars owned by US companies.
By George F @ 04/09/09 03:18:57 PMreport abuse
Market appeal
This new "segway" will only have limited market appeal also. What a waste. Talking about an accident waiting to happen!
By Pat @ 04/09/09 03:11:41 PMreport abuse
Little Cars
KE= 1/2 M x V^2
You in a 1000kg hybrid and me in a 3300kg Dodge Megacab. I would have almost 11 times the energy as you. Law of Conservation of energy, it has to go somewhere, can't be destroyed.... want to guess what happens to your car? Please, the extra money that it costs is CHEAP LIFE INSURANCE!
By BL from NY @ 04/09/09 03:02:47 PMreport abuse
High MPG
I saw a comment in Cycle World the other day about the Honda 50 Cub that was discontinued in the US back in the 70s and sold for about $300 new. They also commented Honda had a new version of that motor that was fuel injected and got on the order of 250 MPG. I'd buy one for around town!
By Mark S. @ 04/09/09 02:33:36 PMreport abuse
gas prices
The sagging economy has put a temporary halt to the startling gas price hikes, but the supply fundamentals remain the same. When demand recovers, expect to see expensive gas again.
By aleph @ 04/09/09 01:36:58 PMreport abuse
Government Motors
Buzz G,

Which one are you?
By Tina @ 04/09/09 10:03:03 AMreport abuse
Government Motors
Mr. Howard, If you like to drive a knees-to-the-chest lawn mower on steriods, I am fine with it. Why do you want the government to force me to do the same thing? What happened to American's love of freedom? Once upon a time we were each allowed to pursue what made us happy. Now you want the govenment to force everyone to do the same thing you do. Shame on you Clark Howard, your nerd followers and hairy-chested women listeners.
By Buzz G @ 04/08/09 05:22:20 PMreport abuse

Better gas milage

Are you aware that cars get better gas milage in south america and europe? They are from american brand cars to Fiatts to opels. We have it the car companies just dont want to build it, maybe a nice kickback from oil companies?

By Jay N FL @ 04/09/09 09:26:41 PMreport abuse

Why gas standards have to change

The gas mileage standards are average across an automaker's entire product line, not for every individual car. It doesn't mean lower mileage cars are going to vanish.

But there is no such thing as a totally free country. Choices each of us make affect other people. When gas guzzling vehicles harm the air every one of us is breathing and continue our dependence on a limited and mostly foreign oil supply - with all the economic and geopolitical problems that causes - no, you don't get unlimited rights to do whatever you want.

By Jayde @ 04/09/09 06:50:32 PMreport abuse

Performance

I also think we are letting the government have way to much control over are lives. This is a free country after all. I love high perfomance cars like the Ford Mustang for example and don't want to be told by the Gevernment that I can't owm a fast car. But I guess a nerd like Clark would not understand why I feel so strongly about this. Buy the way, Wake Americans and start buying US made cars owned by US companies.

By George F @ 04/09/09 03:18:57 PMreport abuse

Market appeal

This new "segway" will only have limited market appeal also. What a waste. Talking about an accident waiting to happen!

By Pat @ 04/09/09 03:11:41 PMreport abuse

Little Cars

KE= 1/2 M x V^2
You in a 1000kg hybrid and me in a 3300kg Dodge Megacab. I would have almost 11 times the energy as you. Law of Conservation of energy, it has to go somewhere, can't be destroyed.... want to guess what happens to your car? Please, the extra money that it costs is CHEAP LIFE INSURANCE!

By BL from NY @ 04/09/09 03:02:47 PMreport abuse

High MPG

I saw a comment in Cycle World the other day about the Honda 50 Cub that was discontinued in the US back in the 70s and sold for about $300 new. They also commented Honda had a new version of that motor that was fuel injected and got on the order of 250 MPG. I'd buy one for around town!

By Mark S. @ 04/09/09 02:33:36 PMreport abuse

gas prices

The sagging economy has put a temporary halt to the startling gas price hikes, but the supply fundamentals remain the same. When demand recovers, expect to see expensive gas again.

By aleph @ 04/09/09 01:36:58 PMreport abuse

Government Motors

Buzz G,

Which one are you?

By Tina @ 04/09/09 10:03:03 AMreport abuse

Mr. Howard, If you like to drive a knees-to-the-chest lawn mower on steriods, I am fine with it. Why do you want the government to force me to do the same thing? What happened to American's love of freedom? Once upon a time we were each allowed to pursue what made us happy. Now you want the govenment to force everyone to do the same thing you do. Shame on you Clark Howard, your nerd followers and hairy-chested women listeners.

By Buzz G @ 04/08/09 05:22:20 PMreport abuse

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Apr 08, 2009 -- New fuel economy standards for 2011 vehicles

What others are saying