A recent survey says consumers want the Big 3 to focus on fuel efficiency. Even though fuel prices have recently been lower most consumers don’t expect it to stay that way.

The survey wants them to look more into hybrid and diesel vehicles.

The interesting thing is sales on hybrids is down from last year even on the almighty Prius. Sales of the Honda Accord hybrid were very low, and the Civic isn’t doing well either. At a recent Hollywood charity auction, where Lexus donated a new GS450h, the car sold for $54K which is about $4K less than sticker. That’s Hollywood too, the biggest hybrid proponent out there.

It seems the people are saying that if they’re going to buy a hybrid, it better get at least 40mpg (or at least say it does;)).

If they want power they’ll get something else.That leaves diesel to pick up the slack. Obviously it’s already proven itself in other countries, and will soon be here too. People will be able to buy a real car, with a real back seat and still get 37+mpg like the Mercedes E320. I can’t wait till we have other examples also.

I think that, besides getting more diesels here, the Big 3 need to go on a media campaign to enlighten consumers of the virtues of diesel. Diesel - clean, efficient, powerful, and can fit a family.

Unless they want to just churn out tiny, cheap, low to no margin, vehicles that the government has to provide tax incentives for to be somewhat affordable.