Am I correct when I say there are only 11 vehicles available from the D3 that are rated 28 mpg(US) combined average OR BETTER? If I remember correctly there are only 33 D3 machines rated 25 mpg and above.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byMPG.htm
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008b....jsp?year=2008
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008b....jsp?year=2009
The Ford FWD Escape/Mariner/Tribute Hybrid are rated 32 mpg combined average. And none get better than 32 mpg(US) combined average that I can find.
Do you know of any other D3 machines rated above 32 mpg(US) combined average?
Meanwhile, in the UK Ford and GM/Vauxhall alone have about 72 vehicles rated between 42 and 58 mpg(US) combined cycle fuel economies.
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search
http://www.autocar.co.uk/SpecsPrices...AndPrices.aspx
Since I can only purchase a limited number of vehicles at one time and my interest IS FUEL ECONOMY ... I do not care what fleet average (CAFE) is!
I wish the very low fuel consumption UK/EU options were available from Ford and/or GM in the US. But since they are not ... the current "foreign" badges are the best options in the US for me!
Since I prefer something other than hybrid ... I really have no very high mpg choices within the current MY 2008/9 product set.
So, I opted for a 95 Civic CX rated 35 City 38 Combined 41 highway until something better comes along, hopefully before 2011. Currently I am getting 38 mpg combined and 45 mpg highway.
In my area of the country (the Carolinas) I am seeing the old (late 80s and early 90s) high mpg Fiestivas, Geos, Sprints, and the likes being reconditioned and put back into service in significant numbers. I am also seeing significantly more motorcycles, motor-scooters, and bicycles.
It seems clear to me that many people are "digging in" for the "long haul" until REAL fuel conserving vehicles reach the market! Also, it should be noted that the bottom has fallen completely out from under the used "gas guzzler" market.