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I'd like to see automaker come out with a new class of automobiles....a small, very lightweight chassis designed to hold 2-4 people, relatively comfortable for short distances at least...similar to the smart cars that are coming out. Plus, let's make these cars very sparse and affordable...keeping the price down ~5-7G, similar to a motorcycle price, so people can easily afford these for commuting purposes, while still having the family car/truck for other purposes.

To increase both the affordability and decrease the weight, I'd like to see the gov't enact different regulations for these cars as well. Similar to motorcylces not having any crash-standards and the assumed risk inherent with riding, the same could hold true for these cars.

Now, I know that many might find the idea of a car not being "crashworthy" aborhrent, but think about it. One of the downsides to stronger cars has been increased weight...which necessitates bigger engines, and also means the car has to perform more work to accelerate a chassis and also increases rolling ressistance, therefore decreasing mileage.

Make the licensing requirements different and far more strict...restrict power output...these things could help to off-set the risk of accidents. AND just like a cycle, one just understands the increased risk of using such a vehicle.

Also, to increase affordability, I'd more than happily see different emission requirements for such a vehicle.

Again, I know that the thought might be distasteful to ease emission requirements but this is how I look at it; You don't need to assume they'll be "dirty" per se...just ease testing requirements, equipment requirements. Again, this is similar to current motorcycles...which easily cost much less than cars.

And since a small car weighing 2000lbs with restricted HP of 90-100hp or so, you could easily see 40mpg in city driving, 55-70mpg hwy. Much less fuel burned equals much less pollutants emitted...

And since they'd be affordable, you'd see more on the road than current hybrids at a price premium...more of these on the roads, means less gas overall used.

Just a thought...what say you?

how about 1900 pounds, 70 hp or so, 70 mpg on the highway, and 61 in the city? oh yeah: seats 2, aluminum construction, air bags, electric power steering, abs, 10kw of electric assist, climate control, sports car handling (with the right tires), etc......

ok, so its about 21 grand new. but i only paid 6500 for mine, used.

ok, so its about 21 grand new... And that's exactly it :D

While I'll gladly pay that for an insight at $6500 used, take away the complexity (and cost) of the hybrid drive, relieve some of the regulations (cost...especially during development, and during production) and viola! The ideal commuter car for the everyperson!

I mean, not to take away from the hybrids...they aren't going anywhere, and there will still be those to pay a price premium, whatever their reason. It's just that I won't, and many people can't afford them at the current price.

Now, some would say "well, as long as they keep producing hybrids, the cost of the technology will come down" and that's true. I think you'll continue to see hybrids in the more expensive cars (like lexus, etc). Then as the cost of the technology is amortized across the expensive cars, then the you'll see them trickle down to far more inexpensive rides.

We had just such a car. It was the three cylinder Geo Metro and others in that class. I have owned the Metro, Sprint, Justy, and Insight, all three cylinder and all great transportation cars. The Insight gets close to twice the MPG the others got but that could be improved quite a bit if the others had the instrumentation the Insight has.....Louis

Hi Chris:

___If you check your local major newspaper, you should find both 07 Chevrolet Aveo’s and 07 Ford Focus’ (stripped mind you) for < $9,100 brand new. They will easily punch out a 50 mpg combined for those of us that push them but they will never reach 70 mpg at highway speeds :( That is only in the realm of the Insight. The real problem is nobody wants a stripped down Aveo and Focus at any price.

___Remember these are automobiles with no compromises in terms of safety standards as they are written today. The performance of the Focus w/ the 2.0E and a stick is quite lively as well.

___On a similar note, the Focus can be purchased as a PZEV in the 5-clean states. If that doesn’t make you consider a new car, I don’t know what will ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

To increase both the affordability and decrease the weight, I'd like to see the gov't enact different regulations for these cars as well. Similar to motorcylces not having any crash-standards and the assumed risk inherent with riding, the same could hold true for these cars.

As far as the government is concerned, a three-wheeled car is a motorcycle, and is subject to the same safety standards, even if it's fully enclosed. I'm fairly certain somebody is already making what you're looking for in a three-wheeled configuration, it'd just take some hunting around on the web...here's one place to start:

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Fuel_Efficiency_Vehicles

In Japan, you'd be looking for a kei car. You can import one to the States if it's over a certain age (>20 years, I believe) but then you're dealing with 20-year old technology (e.g. no computer-designed manifolds, electronic ignition, port fuel injection, more aerodynamic shapes, etc.), it's attendant reduction in fuel efficiency and inavailability of parts. By the time you add everything up, you're often better off just getting a hybrid unless you want something unique.