It’s kind of fair to say that unless pushed, manufacturers have little incentive to make progress in this way. When I say pushed, I am not only talking about government but also fuel prices and competition. Back when gas was a dollar a gallon, people in econo boxes looked almost ridiculous. I had to try really hard to drive five dollars worth of gas and it seemed to make no sense to have to give up so much utility and maybe even safety. Now gas is high and getting higher, some Americans who once budgeted an SUV into the family based more on wants than needs are no longer able to digest the buy. Let’s just admit it, many people who have SUVs don’t really need them but buy them as status symbols but everyone wants better gas mileage now that it can affect the wallet. The story is different for the buyers looking at wants instead of needs now that fuel prices have increased but so have the offerings. This is a great way for manufacturers to combine wants and needs in one package. Utility, safety and increased gas mileage, as opposed to horrid gas consumption in the minds of buyers, may allow the family of wants to continue to consume larger vehicles and that can’t be a bad thing for Ford and GM who depend so heavily on large vehicles. Competition is now also coming into play. Lexus is going to offer a hybrid SUV and I’m waiting to see just how advanced their system is. An SUV Hybrid comparo can’t be too far off in the future.