Topic: Auto Tech: What will the future hold?

[Autos_Editor]

Right now there are four big issues that are generating change in the development of future transportation, says Technical Editor, Jim Kerr who discusses how these issues are affecting the cars we will drive in the future.
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[Spheric]

Interesting article.

I note however a conspicuous absence of any reference to transmission technologies, and how these might be impacted by changing fuel economy rules. In an age of 7 or 8 speed software controlled auto transmissions, what does this say about the future of 5 or 6 speed manual vehicles ? Will 'World Cars' that are promoted in NA, continue to have significant engine and transmission variations in places like Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe etc ?

[Matt]

More BIG BROTHER CONTROL............just what we all need isn't it

[tpl]

No more regulation is needed at all in NA.    Get gas( and diesel)  up to $6 per US gallon in the US and consistently over $1.50 a litre up here, leave the emission controls alone for a decade or so at least and let the market work.  The vehicles are already plenty clean enough and economy will soon follow with expensive gas.   It might need to get upto $8 or $2 if the process is to be accelerated.  Most of the manufacturers have vehicles sold in other markets that could be brought here if the public could be persuaded to buy them... Ford is already onto that and one hopes Chrysler will as well.

In the US context, getting the price up with $1 or $2 TAX per gallon would also cure the US deficit quite quickly.