Clinton's forgotten PNGV program

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NuShrike @ May 26 2006, 03:57 PM) [snapback]261453[/snapback]</div>

Considering that PNGV WAS a stupendous (ie, bigger than huge) waste of the tax payer's money, I think they did a pretty good thing.

There's lots of information on that program out there.

The feds pumped Billions into the US auto makers to subsidize development of a high mileage family car that would be affordable.

No non-US companies need apply. Toyota tried and was turned away.

The US automakers basically hoovered up the money, and produced cars designed to prove that the goal was not possible. Titanium Frames, All Aluminum Bodies, and much more.

They did make cars that got 70 MPG but they couldn't be produced for less than $150K, couldn't be repaired with out NASA grade facilities, and didn't have room or performance to meet the specs.

I firmly belive they fully intended to prove that you couldn't make such a car, because they didn't want to. But, hey, thanks for the money taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda were afraid of being left behind. They did something amazing. They went out with their own money, and designed the cars Detroit was getting billions to design.

If anything, I consider the legacy of the PNGV to be the Prius and HCH. Too bad the US manufacturers couldn't, or rather wouldn't do it even with the government help, but at least the goal was met.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ May 26 2006, 02:36 PM) [snapback]261488[/snapback]</div>

So would such a program be more successful now?

It seems like the US companies (like GM in particular) are pretty desperate. They have gas guzzlers and nobody wants one anymore. It would seem thier options are dying or getting bailed out somehow.

Personally, I think they should die. They were stupid and there's no room for that type of stupidity in business. They had the opportunity to do something with this PNGV program (which I know nothing more about than what has been posted) and they squandered it. They had the opportunity to join forces with Toyota years ago and passed it up. Simple fact is that they were making money hand over fist with thier SUV (VERY high markups on these things) and couldn't see that demand may go down - after all, everybody wants the ultimate ego boost/status symbol of driving an SUV