Bob Lutz Thinks US Government Should Raise Gas Prices

Well, at least now it’s official. There will NEVER be another GM in my driveway. Bob Lutz (GM Vice Chairman) thinks that the US government should step in and force Americans into smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. He says: “I’d say the best thing the (U.S.) government can do is to raise the gas tax by 10 or 15 cents a year until it reaches European levels.”

He says “In Europe people buy $30,000 Golfs.” “People are willing to pay lots of money for extremely well equipped, fuel-efficient cars.” That’s why manufacturers make them, so they are available. Don’t force us to buy them as a result of not being able to afford anything else.

Yeah, let’s make people’s lives even more financially difficult so they will HAVE to do what we want them to. Yup, that’s the American way. What a f*cking Asshole.

I agree with Mr. Lutz. America needs to fall in line with Europe. For too long Americans have been allowed to be wasteful and ignore their responsibilities both locally and globally. I am fine with $6.00 per 3.78 litres. It would hopefully rid us of SUV’s in all but commerical uses, even then those should be Diesel. I move we also tax cars at purchase based upon displacement. Anything over 3.5 litres getting 100% taxed, graduated as displacement shrinks. Greece, Singapore and others have this system implemented.

As a side note, I am American born and raised, and a car enthusiast. 1996 SCCA Rally/Solo I NEDiv Hillcimb Champion, retired.

Thanks for the comment Eric. Everybody in America is not the same. Yes, it seems in general that Americans are inconsiderate big truck and SUV-driving a-holes, but does it make sense to only punish the lower and middle class? After all, they are the ones who are really going to suffer. They are the ones who are going to be hurt by the gas prices, not the ones buying the Hummers, who can afford it. Mr. Lutz’ idea is about as republican as you can get (not trying to get political here, though.) They simply don’t even take the lower-middle class into consideration. I just don’t understand.

You people are missing the big picture here. Bob Lutz doesn’t give a damn about the American people, or about gas prices, or environmentalism. All he cares about is money. And when I say Bob Lutz, I mean all of the car manufactures, but especially the Big Three. Toyota too, ’cause they only started making hybrids ’cause they saw the long term investment. One thing that I agree with Eric about is I want to see all the SUV’s gone. The only way to get back at the car companies is to force them to better and better fuel efficient cars, as this is something they do not want to do, and neither do the gas companies. So screw them. Get a hybrid or electric car and watch them wring their hands in worry and frustration.

I couldn’t agree more, Demonblade

Lutz is a moron, He’s trying to blame GM’s Demise on the American people. On Leno’s tonight show he said (paraphrased) the American public didn’t want fuel efficient cars so GM cave them what they wanted. I agree with all that think this genius is an A-hole BTW I think Eric is an A-hole too.