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Are SUVs a Symbol of Super Power?

Posted by: David Kiley on August 27

I caught a few minutes of Rush Limbaugh’s radio show today. God help me.

Rush, who is no fan of promoting the purchase of more fuel efficient cars, was blathering about how the current Moscow Auto Show is showcasing gas guzzling SUVs. He then excoriated the U.S. for promoting “bubble cars” at its shows. Hmmmm. I don’t recall seeing too many “bubble cars” myself.

He then made the cogent point that because we are beginning to emphasize more fuel efficient vehicles, and Russia and China are pushing gas guzzlers at its shows, we (the U.S.) are abdicating our role as a global super power. Never mind that Russia and China subsidizes the cost of gasoline, making gas cheap in those countries.

They actually pay the guy for this kind of insight.

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Reader Comments

Jared Hancock

August 27, 2008 06:42 PM

America is a super power, yes. But being part of the automotive industry myself, US automakers are just now technologically starting to catch up with most of the foreign automakers. The foreigners have been developing fuel efficient technologies much longer than the US. IF we want to be a "super-power", why don't develop newer and more efficient technologies, instead of allowing others to beat us to it?

paul mcgraw

September 1, 2008 06:04 PM

Yeah. I agree. If Russia and China had $4.25 gas, they'd be promoting "bubble cars" too. Actually, I've seen some of the small cars Rush talked about. They're not bad looking and hey, if you don't have a family, why not get one?

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Want the straight scoop on the auto industry? Detroit bureau chief David Welch and auto beat veterans David Kiley, Dexter Roberts and Ian Rowley bring daily scoop, keen observations and provocative perspective on the auto business from around the globe. Read their take on such weighty issues as Detroit’s attempt at a comeback, Toyota’s quest for dominance and the search for an efficient car.

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