EPA Confirms That After $85 Billion, GM And Chrysler Still Aren't Close To Japanese In Mileage

After improving for six years, average gas mileage of all cars and trucks sold in the United States went into reverse in 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported last week. What brought the change? Toyota's and Honda's production fell by more than 500,000 vehicles, following the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in March of that year.

The data, contained in the EPA's annual mileage trends report, the government's most thorough look at fuel economy, present a sharp contrast to the post-bankruptcy and bailout happy talk of the U.S. auto industry. The report is a warning light on Detroit's dashboard.

The study compares fuel efficiency in 2011, the most recent year for which the agency has details, with 2010. In a blizzard of numbers, it demonstrates that General Motors and Chrysler are not pulling their weight—and that Toyota and Honda are delivering the mileage benefits Americans need.

RLStrad - 3/18/2013 5:45:33 PM

+3 Boost

Really? The Japanese are more oriented on selling smaller, more fuel efficent vehicles than American manufacturers? And that, somehow, is a surprise or a stain on the Big Three? Spend a little time driving the streets of Japan and their standards make sense. But in the US, big cars are often the right choice for our roads, distances, people, and needs. At the end of the day, the market is speaking and it tends to want big cars from Detroit and smaller, leaner cars from Japan. Your little twist suggesting Detroit somehow has wasted money is a false start, they're in the business of selling, and I wish them every success.

Agent009 - 3/18/2013 6:59:06 PM

+1 Boost

They are also making large trucks the Japanese can't match at any cost.

However when the issues in Japan surfaced they also could not answer with suitable replacements when inventories dried up. Lost sales and lost potential.

nguyenvuminh - 3/18/2013 7:16:11 PM

+1 Boost

Legitimate points from both RLStrad and 009. But to be fair, the window of opportunities was surprisingly short (which I thought was an incredible feat on Japan's part). It speaks volume about Japan's manufacturing, logistic and supplier network's flexibility/resiliency. Not sure whether US and European car mfrs can do that (and I really like/admire the German mfrs).