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A Rare Look Inside Carmakers’ Drive for 55 MPG

National Geographic -- In the United States, the Obama administration is soon to set mileage standards that will force automakers to double the average fleet efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The European Union is driving beyond that goal, enacting carbon emissions limits that will require new car fleets to achieve 57.4 mpg (24.4 km/l) by 2020. Canada, Japan, China, and South Korea also ramp up standards starting in 2015.

Technology for this global efficiency leap is being developed in laboratories like GM's Warren research center, described at its 1956 opening as "where today meets tomorrow." The slogan applies well to the fuel economy research under way more than a half-century later.

"Most of the technology that we need for 2025 is already here," said Michael Omotoso, senior manager of global

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Submitted Aug 19, 2012 By: Martinman

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Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:14,869 Points:2,119,580 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 21, 2012 1:53:38 PM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse rcornero from Toms River posted... "How many people will have to die to realize this goal? Lighter cars are not as safe." ----- Funny, but with all those "smaller lighter cars" in Europe, they don't have a problem with higher auto-deaths.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:11,294 Points:1,649,905 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 7:09:14 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse rcornero - How many had to die overseas to protect our "life line" to crude oil and maintain other "national interests" for the USA??? Sorry rcornero, but conservation, raising gas mileage in vehicles, and developing alternative energy is the way to go for our real energy future.
Tehbob Champion Author California Posts:2,426 Points:483,805 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 12:12:14 PM Ignore Tehbob Report Abuse kk
crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,637 Points:486,190 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 10:47:58 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse Why does the U.S. government keep ramming things down people's throats? " The USA is on the brinks of extinction. All it takes is a conflict that disrupts the flow of oil to your country (e.g. Saudi Arabia lives its own Arab Spring).
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:7,685 Points:1,813,925 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 9:56:15 AM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse Why does the U.S. government keep ramming things down people's throats?
BJ1947 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,276 Points:498,330 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 7:34:36 AM Ignore BJ1947 Report Abuse So
EvergreenON Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,073 Points:510,110 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 7:27:34 AM Ignore EvergreenON Report Abuse Good
rcornero Sophomore Author Toms River Posts:225 Points:367,560 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 7:03:35 AM Ignore rcornero Report Abuse How many people will have to die to realize this goal? Lighter cars are not as safe.
kitty1750 Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,199 Points:470,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2012 12:32:39 AM Ignore kitty1750 Report Abuse Ok.
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,298 Points:898,730 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 10:36:35 PM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse rich1430 and SammyAdams - Good comments!! I think my next vehicle will be diesel. It will definitely not be an EV or a hybrid.
LostInNY Champion Author New York Posts:1,859 Points:674,770 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 10:26:01 PM Ignore LostInNY Report Abuse Yeah, we'll be "driving"Flintstone cars!
A2J Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,205 Points:628,700 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 9:40:30 PM Ignore A2J Report Abuse 55 mpg ?
Agarre Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,335 Points:263,785 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 9:21:38 PM Ignore Agarre Report Abuse 55 mpg in dream
pnd1 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:5,201 Points:1,065,110 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 8:40:18 PM Ignore pnd1 Report Abuse I'm tired of the government telling the manufacturers what cars to make and the consumers what cars to buy. Let the market decide! That is a basic principle of capitalism that escapes Barak's comprehension.
JamesCalvin Champion Author Lancaster Posts:3,339 Points:546,280 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 8:01:56 PM Ignore JamesCalvin Report Abuse Unless of course they are running in China
Martinman Champion Author Mississippi Posts:14,869 Points:2,119,580 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 7:55:30 PM Ignore Martinman Report Abuse sammyadams from tallahassee posted... "force automakers to double the average fleet efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025." Our government is mostly responsible for creating the higher prices for fuel and now feels compelled to bring about its "solution"? No thanks. Give "Free Enterprise" the chance to solve our (contrived) energy crisis. FREEDOM is the operative word." ----- "Our" government has nothing to do with higher crude oil prices. Its driven by the suppliers, not the consumers - with the supplier now being the futures market. But the government is mostly responsible for creating artifically lower prices for fuel in the past, by subsidizing the petroleum industry. The United States has [now] gone through three major economic shocks as a result of fuel prices (1973-74, 1979-81, 2005-08). "We" have again failed to learn from history. Waiting for the market to force a change (demand for high fuel economy vehicles) and have gotten caught with our pants around our knees each time. Neither the domestic nor non-domestic manufacturers can respond fast enough to the rapid swings in the price of crude, that in turn drive American vehicle preferences after-the-fact. Bringing new vehicles to market takes 3-5 years, with major technological changes taking 5 or more years. Even simply shifting production numbers between product lines can take months to an entire product cycle (model year). The amount of time it takes to go from design to dealer is long - usually a minimum of 3 years. The industry cannot simply flip-a-switch and begin to shift production to higher fuel economy cars overnight, especially when such spikes result in downturns, that in turn result in declining demand. Thus since the world economy is not essentially wrapped entirely around petroleum products, prices increases affect virtually part of every sector and all the advanced countries. Japanese manufacturers were fortunate during the prior two downturns, in that its consumer market in Japan largely dictated its product line (small fuel-efficient vehicles), which it reproduced here in the U.S. They "Americanized" their product lines in the late-90s, and paid the price as the other manufacturers have this time. Look at the size of the Honda Civic and Accord in the early 1980s, compared to now. The Nissan Sentra and Toyota Camry, as well, Even the Volkswagon Beetle got larger, heavier. All are significantly larger, without any major fuel economy advantage over domestics any more. So why do the Europeans have higher fuel economy cars than here in North America - because their fuel priced 'forced' drivers into those choices that we haven't had to make. They accepted them out of need. The European governments drove this through higher fuel prices. We 'tried' to drive it with CAFE standards, but the industry repeatedly fought back. Unless they were forced onto the industry, major advancements in fuel economy have not occur. Freedom is great, but it doesn't mean "we" always make the right choice. [Edited by: Martinman at 8/19/2012 8:00:31 PM EST]
jl1rp Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,975 Points:385,130 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 7:50:14 PM Ignore jl1rp Report Abuse and at what price? It's going to be a lot high.
gandalfthegrey1 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,184 Points:384,785 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 7:13:20 PM Ignore gandalfthegrey1 Report Abuse Hats off to Sammy Adams. That aside cars that already have that mpg and more are being sold in other countries, but for their fuel efficiency they have to sacrifice virtually everything else. Too small, not safe. Since obummer wants us to be just like Europe that evidently includes unsafe automobiles.
Mastedon Rookie Author Akron Posts:69 Points:23,640 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 6:06:33 PM Ignore Mastedon Report Abuse That would be great
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,686 Points:1,197,290 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 5:57:00 PM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse The operative phrase is; "Canada, Japan, China, and South Korea also ramp up standards starting in 2015." This needs to be done just to keep up, not lead the way, which is unfortunate.
SammyAdams Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,197 Points:820,355 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 5:48:48 PM Ignore SammyAdams Report Abuse It is neither the purpose nor function of our government to " . . force automakers to double the average fleet efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025." Our government is mostly responsible for creating the higher prices for fuel and now feels compelled to bring about its "solution"? No thanks. Give "Free Enterprise" the chance to solve our (contrived) energy crisis. FREEDOM is the operative word. .
lonewolf_947 Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:1,347 Points:599,390 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 4:47:53 PM Ignore lonewolf_947 Report Abuse We'll see what happens...... most likely to be buried by big companies....
leeac Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,736 Points:461,605 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 4:39:52 PM Ignore leeac Report Abuse Thank-you, Mr. President, for requiring auto makers to produce higher MPG cars. Good Job!
99 Sophomore Author Wisconsin Posts:100 Points:83,425 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 3:52:15 PM Ignore 99 Report Abuse cool
tnfran Champion Author Arizona Posts:4,513 Points:868,165 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 3:51:43 PM Ignore tnfran Report Abuse It is driving the engineers to try their utmost and come up with some new technologies for sure.
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,899 Points:814,405 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 3:21:18 PM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse i got 34mpg on my boxy 1967 datsun at speeds from 75-95mph. just bring back the geo metro ('92) --- 60mpg.
SalukiCO Sophomore Author Colorado Springs Posts:199 Points:243,295 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 3:08:06 PM Ignore SalukiCO Report Abuse Expect big oil and the GOP to sabotage this.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,599 Points:621,360 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 3:05:18 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse good article & pictures.
deputydog082 Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,905 Points:685,830 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 2:50:59 PM Ignore deputydog082 Report Abuse oil companies will have to raise prices even more to make up for the improved mileage!
Rich1430 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:764 Points:277,500 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 2:42:24 PM Ignore Rich1430 Report Abuse I will never buy one of these so called vehicles that get 50 plus miles per gallon. You are talking about a poorly designed, engineered piece of junk that will disintegrate on impact in an accident. They will be shovelling, sweeping and dumping what will be left of your remains with a dust pan. You think I am joking it is happening in Europe now. Thank you environMENTAL ecoterrorist for you extreme stupidity cramming this down everyones throats.
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:5,084 Points:1,043,345 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 2:40:23 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse Mine already gets 50 mpg.
investmentdr Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,122 Points:1,479,935 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 2:29:37 PM Ignore investmentdr Report Abuse what? i thought there is a conspiracy between automakers and big oil to keep oil prices high.
DeeMamma88 Veteran Author San Bernardino Posts:352 Points:303,105 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 2:10:04 PM Ignore DeeMamma88 Report Abuse And the price of vehicles will sky rocket for this benefit...
wz Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,620 Points:1,303,960 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 2:06:46 PM Ignore wz Report Abuse Much of the work - especially aerodynamics - is being tested on racing circuits. That is one of the reasons car companies sponsor NASCAR. These designs are geared for power, not efficiency, so there will need to be a lot more research into lighter weight materials that require lower power output. Lighter, more efficient cars would violate NASCAR's design specs.
YumaFellow Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,426 Points:649,320 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 2:04:19 PM Ignore YumaFellow Report Abuse Without the push from the government and the competition from foreign carmakers, this would not be happening. I remember when the Big 3 were saying that it would be too costly to install three-point seat belts in every car at a time when Volvo had them as standard equipment. Would mess up the production line, they said.
whatif81 All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:683 Points:219,730 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 2:03:25 PM Ignore whatif81 Report Abuse sounds good.
Rockyguitar Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,693 Points:1,228,320 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 1:40:37 PM Ignore Rockyguitar Report Abuse This is already being accomplished by Hyundai, VW & BMW. 70-110mpg is a reality. Also another reality is the hypocrates in gubment don't want the loss of fuel tax revenue. They also claim the emissions per gallon are too high by 10-15%. Well, duh, if you travel twice as far on that gallon, what's the problem. It's time we dump the lawyers in gubment and replace them with real people...farmers, plumbers, carpenters, salesman,...
AlgaeNOW Champion Author Wyoming Posts:1,022 Points:314,080 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 1:31:47 PM Ignore AlgaeNOW Report Abuse k
335d1 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,519 Points:785,770 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 1:23:05 PM Ignore 335d1 Report Abuse Interesting article. I love my turbodiesel.
Yooperheart Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,560 Points:553,750 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 1:21:56 PM Ignore Yooperheart Report Abuse This should be a great peek into the future. Meet the Jetsons....
mountainrider7 Sophomore Author New York Posts:208 Points:149,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 1:18:37 PM Ignore mountainrider7 Report Abuse Maybe I'll just get my mirror changed to the wind resistance kind and stop my drag !
walkingtall Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,134 Points:1,148,405 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 1:14:01 PM Ignore walkingtall Report Abuse A rare look inside carmakers'drive fifty-five miles per gallon,interesting.
Xavier80 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,907 Points:401,920 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:49:30 PM Ignore Xavier80 Report Abuse k
md11capt Champion Author Denver Posts:3,558 Points:729,180 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:46:57 PM Ignore md11capt Report Abuse Just as long as we don't have to drive 55 mph.
btcscoc1 All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:930 Points:229,535 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Aug 19, 2012 12:45:30 PM Ignore btcscoc1 Report Abuse Interesting.