Most americans are spoiled & closed-minded..
Face it, if the price of gas in the US was equal
to what the Europeans have to pay, there would
be an outcrying for more fuel efficient options.
Part of the problem is the bad taste that remains
after the "diesel debacle" of the 80's thanks to
GM and the 5. 7 "converted Olds" diesel flop.
Most Americans are not open minded enough to
accept the fact that diesel engines produce less
polution than gasoline burning engines, and are
almost twice as efficient!
SO, the GOVT's agenda is to increase MPG by
raising the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy)
for the major auto manufacturers, which in turn
are forced to comply by reducing the weight of
vehicles (smaller overall size, lighter/thinner
materials) and weaker, smaller engines that use
less fuel and put out less pollutants. Who pays
for this "technology"? We do in the sticker price
of the resultant vehicle. Scary stuff what we
have to look forward to in the US from the major
auto makers.