Jest
I'm not that sure they do as they please. Actually yes until situation changes and I think you all already said this. This is the case right now and, of course, that is valid for individuals too. Most people don't care about mother earth, they just feel concerned about the amount of money in their bank account (Count me among them).
Howerver, Europeans are less trusty than Americans and we might not revert to our old habits. As a result, car manufacturers are changing their models fast (surprisingly fast in fact). They have to, we don't buy them anymore and everyone is reducing their oil consumption: something like -20% for car sell and -10% for fuel consumption (impressive also). We can't drive fast anymore, therefore, we buy simpler, slower cars. Give me a Porsche and I'll drive between 180-200 miles/hr. I can't, then, I don't buy it (still I love that car, and their SUV is gorgeous).
Funny, that the smallest car around my place is a chevy (except for a few japanese ones).
By the way I have heard that gasoline price in U.S. is currently about 4$ (may be more) a gallon. If that is true, it means that ours is no more or even less expensive than yours. Think of it, we had about a 20-30% increase over the last 7-8 years, U.S. had live through a 100% increase in the same time (about 300-400% over the past 15 years). Bad time for american cars. Americans will be thinking about it.
One last thing, How is it to live in the Newest Socialist Country (with all that state money sent into banks)? Don't you fear of being renamed Socialist Union of Northern America (S.U.N.A.)
