and GM and Chysler failing would be a massive blow to the economy, more so than any oil independence would help

20 to 30 years is not even in the low end of the estimates of how long reserves will last. 40 years is the bottom end that I frequently see.

Even at 20 years, the oil companies don't seem to be in any rush to keep themselves in business by creating new products that will replace the revenue they receive from oil. I would be surprised if Exxon would just close shop leaving all of their stock holders with zero equity? (No cracks about GM & Chrysler)

Isn't the slightly longer term prospect of NO oil at all even darker.

I won't quote Clarkson from yesterday but he is one of the staunachest petrol heads in the entire world (I have been reading his artcles since 1984 in the british magazine PerformanceCar) and what he basically said was that we (manufacturers and users) have to accept that the Life-span of the internal combustion engine is coming to an end.
Whether 20 or 30 or 40 years from now it is going to happen and if it gets extended a little by better Fuel economy then that is a good thing

Now I agree the Recession wasn't caused by Oil but it certinaly isn't making the balance of trade any better.

And as for the big 3 in Detriot may be they shouldn't survive or GM and Chrysler at least

I have to disagree. Timing is not good with the Detroit 3 having trouble selling enough cars to cover current costs, let alone to cover the cost of design and development. The question of compromises in safety and performance may out weigh the hoped for savings.What will be the consequences of not being able to meet these new standards? Will the only cars available on the market be small cars because the magic number could not be attained?

Regardless of what vehicles will be available, the net result will be that people will hold onto their current vehicles longer because they really don't want small cars that are really expensive or are unsafe due to compromises for weight reduction.

Our recession is not due to a dependence on foreign oil and high gas prices were not the reason why Detroit has financial problems. If Detroit is to survive it will be by building cars that people want to buy and NOT by building cars that the government mandates.

If you are an auto enthusiast we are moving into dark times.

and GM and Chysler failing would be a massive blow to the economy, more so than any oil independence would help

20 to 30 years is not even in the low end of the estimates of how long reserves will last. 40 years is the bottom end that I frequently see.

Even at 20 years, the oil companies don't seem to be in any rush to keep themselves in business by creating new products that will replace the revenue they receive from oil. I would be surprised if Exxon would just close shop leaving all of their stock holders with zero equity? (No cracks about GM & Chrysler)

Isn't the slightly longer term prospect of NO oil at all even darker.

I won't quote Clarkson from yesterday but he is one of the staunachest petrol heads in the entire world (I have been reading his artcles since 1984 in the british magazine PerformanceCar) and what he basically said was that we (manufacturers and users) have to accept that the Life-span of the internal combustion engine is coming to an end.
Whether 20 or 30 or 40 years from now it is going to happen and if it gets extended a little by better Fuel economy then that is a good thing

Now I agree the Recession wasn't caused by Oil but it certinaly isn't making the balance of trade any better.

And as for the big 3 in Detriot may be they shouldn't survive or GM and Chrysler at least

I have to disagree. Timing is not good with the Detroit 3 having trouble selling enough cars to cover current costs, let alone to cover the cost of design and development. The question of compromises in safety and performance may out weigh the hoped for savings.What will be the consequences of not being able to meet these new standards? Will the only cars available on the market be small cars because the magic number could not be attained?

Regardless of what vehicles will be available, the net result will be that people will hold onto their current vehicles longer because they really don't want small cars that are really expensive or are unsafe due to compromises for weight reduction.

Our recession is not due to a dependence on foreign oil and high gas prices were not the reason why Detroit has financial problems. If Detroit is to survive it will be by building cars that people want to buy and NOT by building cars that the government mandates.

If you are an auto enthusiast we are moving into dark times.

The recession will end our dependence on foreign oil and the impact it has on our economy and the defeciet WON'T unless changes are made.

My guess is Ford is going to be far away from this with current planned product introductions – Fiesta, Next Escape, Next Explorer