Americans Getting Bigger, Cars Getting Smaller

Owing to rising gas prices, Americans have been reducing the size of their cars. Recent research shows that, when buying a new car, 60 percent of consumers are choosing a vehicle more fuel efficient than their previous car. The change alluded to in these studies can be seen with the naked eye.

Those that visit the United States once every 10 years will immediately notice the small cars moving about on the highways. As soon as one leaves the airport, one will be surprised not only by the shrinking cars but by the size of Americans, who are bigger than they were 10 years ago.

Two out of every three adults in America face an obesity problem. Diseases related to obesity are constantly increasing expenditures in the American economy. No matter how much effort Michelle Obama, Michael Bloomberg and Dr. Oz put forth, their campaigns to fight obesity are not having the desired results. Adult Americans, in regard to eating habits, are not changing their patterns of consumption. The food lobby, in creating more advertisements than the campaign against obesity, continues to widen America’s waistline.

The average American’s size is accompanied by a consumption culture to match. High speed, large cylinder, oversized vehicles are an especially good reflection of this situation. Yet, despite their body size, Americans are abandoning their love for big cars. This in a short time will change people’s concept of what an “American car” is. Nowadays for Americans, the most important factor when choosing a car is not size but fuel consumption.

According to research by the American Consumer Council, hybrid cars, which burn less fuel because of their smaller-volume engines and lighter weight, will take prominence in new car purchases. On average, an American car consumes $3,000 per year in fuel; Americans are trying to bring down these expenditures.

Standards for Cars are Coming

Americans support the new law Congress passed on energy efficiency. From 2017 on, newly produced cars will need to have a fuel efficiency of at least 36.6 miles per gallon. This number will increase to 54.5 miles in 2022. In the context of American energy independence and national security, automobile producers will be forced to make energy-saving vehicles.

Automobile producers and the oil lobby are opposed to the new arrangement. A representative of this lobby, Republican Mitt Romney, said “This arrangement will make cars with the same standards more expensive. Americans will pay more for their cars.”* On the other hand, environmental groups are extremely happy about the decision.

Because of economic reasons and new arrangements, vehicles in America are shrinking. The Obama administration’s current plan is to raise a generation of people that will fit into these small cars. Obama, who is spending millions of dollars on an anti-obesity campaign aimed at children, is investing more in the new generation than adult Americans.

*Editor’s Note: This quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.