Same old story: Detroit and the Mustang

Gas prices continue to rise. Today I read it was called a bubble, driven by speculation, much like the Internet bubble.

Yet, for weeks many articles have talked about refinery capacity, something the U.S. is severely lacking according to some experts. So while supply - overall - might still exceed demand, the U.S. can still only refine so much oil?

The point is, I'm not an expert, but a lot of different experts are saying a lot different things about this subject. Aside from supply and demand and refineries, there is terrorism and political unrest.

Isn't this enough to start thinking differently about oil, about the automobile?
The Japanese have created the hybrid car to help combat this problem, and it is an extremely significant first start.

What about Detroit?

Detroit doesn’t want consumers to be worried about problems. Don't worry about gasoline prices, just have fun!

Therefore, Detroit is bringing back the Dodge Charger muscle car, and Ford’s Mustang.

The reason for euphoria over this move, according to Jerry Flint in his article for Forbes can be summarized by this statement, "Iacocca (Lee) had discovered a great secret. We wanted our cars to be fun. They didn't have to be perfect. They just had to be fun, and the Mustang brought fun back to the American street."

Ahhh, nostalgia.

Wake up Mr. Flint! Automobiles and the automobile industry have had a huge impact on the world, and not all of it has been fun, for example the Corvair, Pinto and SUV Rollover.

Even the presidential race is partially being fought over the war on terror – which is ultimately driven by oil for gas - yet Detroit acts as if it doesn't have any obligation, but to make driving, "fun".

Are they automobile manufacturers or a shrinks?

The auto industry has had a little too much fun, and that fun has cost lives, while having a huge impact on the geopolitics of the entire world. Additionally, the industry has been responsible for creating massive amounts of smog - something the industry still refuses to acknowledge, when the far majority of scientists say otherwise.

That sounds like a preponderance of evidence to me.

Automotive technology hasn't made a significant evolution in over 100 years. As we wait for fuel cells to take over, something I believe will happen, Detroit lets the opportunity of hybrid cars fade.

Hybrid cars can help us change geopolitics, and they can help transition towards fuel cells. Yes it still might take a decade, but wouldn't that be worth the investment?

Imagine the announcement Detroit could have made: Now Available, the Mustang Hybrid Sports Car.

Go fast. Look cool. Save money on gas and help clean the planet, but that’s not fun.

Instead, we get the same old Detroit. Bury your head in the sand and just have fun!