IS THE PUBLIC NUMB ABOUT FUEL CLAIMS?
Results of a survey say “yes”

A nationwide car leasing company surveyed driver reaction information on the recent fuel economy claims and vehicle recalls in the auto industry. In particular, Ford and Hyundai are two recent examples of carmakers having to address fuel economy claims on its vehicles. And while lawsuits and settlements have been in the news, is it surprising the issue hasn’t been bothersome to even more people, especially with gas prices again on the rise? A few highlights of a survey recently conducted on the issue: • With all the talk of false MPG claims, a surprising number of people are also not bothered by recent news items. • Nearly 40 percent of respondents are not moved by the issue, nor do they believe it’s a matter to be taken seriously. • 80 percent of respondents say false MPG claims will not affect their decision to purchase or lease their next vehicle. • Roughly 70 percent feel there are a lot of recalls, but believe it’s simply a normal part of everyday life now. • Approximately 90 percent of respondents don’t feel the recalls make them nervous about other vehicles on the road. “The feedback from our survey shows how many of today’s car shoppers aren’t very concerned with these issues right now, which is surprising because of the safety and economic implications tied to each,” said Scot Hall, Executive Vice President of Swapalease.com, the company that conducted the survey. Harold Osmer responds: Regarding people's attitude toward false MPG claims, I think it's a simple matter of the system making us numb. How long has it been since you bought a car that actually got the rated MPG? It's the same with everyone else. We all know the figures are bogus, so no one really cares except the people who think it's their job on the line. As people who did get fired up had their cars replaced. When did we become so soft that we think everything in life has to be and remain perfect? My daily drivers are over 40 years old. And I get a lot of review cars. I can tell you with great confidence that cars of today are far superior to days of yesterday in terms of safety, ease of operation, and efficiency. What they largely lack is character. And what a lot of the car driving public seems to lack is perspective. Take the Toyota unintended acceleration cases as example. Not a single case could be attributed to a systemic failure on behalf of Toyota (or Audi in the '80s for that matter). Even our NHTSA said so. But our whiny public didn't hear it because it wasn't shouted from the rooftops as it should have been. Point being, the new cars of today are fantastic and no one is happy. Well, I am. Harold O