You get a lot of socialists whining about how, if we just kept our corporations “In Check” like the europeans do, that we wouldn’t be any troubles.
Yeah, right.
Europe’s car makers plan to ask the European Commission for a €40 billion ($55.22 billion) loan to accelerate the transition to environmentally friendly cars, a spokesman for Fiat SpA of Italy said.
The request follows a similar move in the U.S., where Congress approved $25 billion in loans to help U.S. auto makers improve fuel economy.
Just how much more “fuel economy” can those guys eek out of a mill? The only compact car I’d even think of buying would be one of the VW TDI series. And that is just one of the Euro micro-sippers the auto makers are willing to import.
With the Big Three going into the tank, look for some loosening of import restrictions (if the imports can be re-badged, and with the EU in worse shape than the US, probably so).
The Honda Accord (“New”) diesel looks very good at 44 mpg AND a 0-60 time of under 8 seconds. Europe has had them for 5 years now.
Other than that, I’d consider a home-built battery car, which can be put together for about $15,000, easy assembly for a skilled mechanic. Uses low-tech lead acid batteries which can be changed out for about $2K, need to about every other year.
Can keep up on the freeway, can go 80-100 miles, can be made (with a $4K charger upgrade) to recharge while you’re at work.