Why Smaller Cars?
Recent natural disasters coupled with a realization that oil will eventually run out has lead the auto industry to begin investigating alternative methods of fueling cars and making the cars themselves more fuel efficient. One of the larger factors of fuel efficiency is the overall vehicle weight. Developments in metal alloys have created stronger and lighter materials, which have decreased the weight, but not enough. Another option, which more companies are looking into, is trying to redesign the physical aspects of the vehicles to reduce weight. This means giving up the vast eight passenger interior of gas guzzling SUVs for a five passenger car with up to four times the mileage.
