Ford builds a car that can get 60mpg plus that the Union will not let them build in the US.This is where US jobs will go if they are not able to build a plant like this In the US.It will be interesting listening to the buttheads in Washington talking to the stubborn ones in the Unions and Ford "CEOs about the state of our auto industry and where it will be heading.I fear the worst on all sides !!!!
Why would Ford (or any of the other big US car manufacturers) want to build a car capable of 60mpg when you still pay only a third to a quarter the rest of the world pays for its gas (i.e. petrol).
you still pay only a third to a quarter the rest of the world pays
This has been discussed before. AFAIK gas (petrol) costs about the same worldwide, with a few exceptions. What isn't the same worldwide is the tax added to the cost of this gas. I've read that in some European countries the tax comprises almost 75% of the at-the-pump price.
In the high gas tax countries is highway infrastructure receiving full value (upkeep, updates, new construction, etc) for the taxes paid? If not, perhaps it's time to "talk" to the government about the real cost of gasoline.
QUOTE: you still pay only a third to a quarter the rest of the world pays
Quote:
QUOTE:This has been discussed before. AFAIK gas (petrol) costs about the same worldwide, with a few exceptions. What isn't the same worldwide is the tax added to the cost of this gas. I've read that in some European countries the tax comprises almost 75% of the at-the-pump price.
In the high gas tax countries is highway infrastructure receiving full value (upkeep, updates, new construction, etc) for the taxes paid? If not, perhaps it's time to "talk" to the government about the real cost of gasoline.
QUOTE: Without looking up Jim's facts, I thought it was a pretty common sense post.
Are you getting your money's worth for taxes paid?
How does one quantify value for money?? All UK taxes seem to go into one big pot, whatever its source, VAT, petrol duty, income tax, national insurance, beer & tobacco duty, etc. I doubt many in the UK would say they are getting value for their taxes!
It still does not alter the basic argument that in the UK and Europe generally we pay significantly more for our petroleum. This is a historic situation and has driven the requirement here for fuel efficient motor vehicles. Given the distances travelled in the US are considerably more than in UK/Europe you would think that would drive efforts for fuel efficiency even more than this side of the pond ..... until you throw fuel cost into the equation
#10. "RE: Fords Brazil Plant" In response to ablib (Reply # 6) Fri Dec-05-08 10:34 PM by JohnnyReb
In a lot of countries... YES. The two countries I spend the most time in (Germany and Sweden), the highways are quite well maintained.
But what Americans do not take into account is that a large share of the gas tax here is NOT to pay for highways. It is to discourage unnecessary driving and encourage public transportation. For the environment. I drive what can be considered a moderate gas-guzzler (in European, but not American, terms), but do not have problems paying $7/gallon if it has noticeable beneficial effects. I am not convinced that it does, but am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
#5. "RE: Fords Brazil Plant" In response to basa48 (Reply # 1) Fri Dec-05-08 02:39 PM by Allyn
If we could plan on low prices, we in the U.S. might continue our wasteful ways. But we have had a taste of what the rest of the planet pays for gasoline. And I did not like it. Nor did the commercial vehicle operators in this country. The cost of diesel may have put numerous small businesses in the grave.
I nearly turned down a paying job not long ago due to high fuel costs. Now that prices have returned to a much lower level, I can afford to drive my eleven years old Dodge Grand Caravan that gets up to 29 mpg once stable at 55 mph without air conditioning.
My next new or used vehicle will have to get better fuel economy in order for me to travel when prices soar again to $4.00/gallon. It is simply a question of time when that will occur.
I sincerely hope that a bailout of some kind can be worked out that provides a way for the taxpayers to get a return in a reasonable time frame. My concern is about the huge loss of jobs that would result with the demise of the auto industry.That number, coupled with the downsizing elsewhere in industry, would in my opinion would surely put us back to a depression equeal to 1929! ( was 9 years old and was able to understand the situation.My father lost his business and I learned what it was like to live with cockroaches ,bedbugs etc as well as scrunging for our next meal) My concern is that the people running the government today (Who are living well themselves do not have the smarts or the will to work things out(They still don't understand that "there is no free lunch" which is why we are in trouble today1 I fear the worst is coming!
