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Many time I have heard speakers from the major automobile
manufacturers make the claim that they are only building what
consumers demand.  First off, the consumers are buying what the
manufacturers are promoting the most – there are as many as ten
times the number of television advertisements for light trucks and
SUVs when compared to the number for cars.  And why not, since the
corporate profit may be thirty times greater for an SUV than a
small car.  

Secondarily, but more importantly, the large manufacturers are
shirking their responsibilities to the people of this country and
planet by not taking a lead for better technologies – for the good
of all.  The manufacturers hold the knowledge, with their many
experts, of the technologies that will serve the world better in
the long run.  It is irresponsible to claim they are only
following the market when they make the market.  They are large
enough to control the direction of the market place and the
technologies.  Short term profits are their guide.

I have been told by one automobile manufacturer's representative
that the small development companies  create problems since we are
not spending millions and taking years to fully test and certify
our technologies.  Yet, the small innovators are where the
technology catalysts are coming from.  Since the major
manufacturers refuse to lead, small companies need to be given the
regulatory freedoms and financial incentives to move the earth
friendly technologies forward, for the good of all.

I am in support of any regulatory changes or incentives that will
allow more technological options to be tested on the roads of
California and the other CARB states, and expedite the adaptation
of clean transportation technologies in mass produced vehicles.