Could it be true that oil lobbies are influencing the development of more fuel efficient motor vehicles?

Question

When I look at fuel consumption figures of average family vehicles over the past 40 years (we are talking about 4-door sedans of the most average, decade-specific specs), I can't help but notice that their fuel consumption has stayed largely the same (only applies to non-US vehicles, which seem to have doubled their fuel efficiency some time in the 1980s through the more general introduction of fuel injection and overdrives). It may well be true that cars have been able to deliver ever more performance while delivering the same fuel consumption over the decades - but would it not be wiser to utilize the increased power efficiency of our motors to perform at an even level over decades, but reduce fuel consumption? This seems logical. It just isn't done. I wonder whether there are quiet agreements between the oil- and car industries to keep consumption steady, with the car industry "excusing" relatively lame increases in fuel economy through improved performance, and a demand for it?

Answer 1

BINGO!!! automakers and big oil have been bed partners almost from the beginning. over the past 100 years there have been many, many patented innovative ideas on fuel efficiency. both the auto industry and oil companies have bought the patents and put them away where no one can get to them, only to bring them out when they feel the need for them. 50 mile per gallon hybrid cars were made in the mid 1960's. only now are they starting to make them. Brazil has been using ethanol for over 2 years now with ford and gm building the cars that run in ethanol but here in the US they say they can't do it yet.