Prepare for next gas crisis

…Cars and trucks tend to reflect the mentality of their manufacturer’s homelands. The United States has the mind-set of unlimited resources, cheap gas, big is better. The Japanese and German mentality is shaped by scarce resources, $5-a-gallon gas and the need for efficiency.

The Big Three were not prepared for any previous gas crises and lost sales, share, profits and jobs with each one. They are still fighting proposed mandates that would help them to be more competitive. They have to be prepared for the next gas crisis; their survival could depend on it.

Gas crises are like the Olympics — they happen every few years, but the exact gas crisis years aren’t known in advance. It is the responsibility of the U.S. Olympic Committee to make sure our athletes are ready to compete. Likewise, the Big Three now have to be able to compete in every gas crisis.

Detroit Free Press