Visiting LA two summers ago, I noticed commuters in large gas "gusslers" vehicles, single drivers--all along the freeways. I didn't understand it back then & still don't today. In fact, through-out our inner cities, Americans have not changed. "The bigger the better".

Today, auto manufacturers are making smaller vehicles with air-bags through out the vehicle. Side impact air bags, etc.

Today the cost of gasoline is so high, that even buying a new smaller more gas efficient vehicle, or hybrid, would more than make up for the monthly payment on a new vehicle.

Some auto manufacturers are offering 0% financing for 60 months.

Since, most families have two cars, imagine the gas a family would save if they even just had one hybrid-or gas efficient vehicle.

Not only would this save them money, plus reduce our dependancy on foreign oil, it would also stimulate our economy.

I hope many Americans take their rebate check & use it for a down-payment on a fuel efficient, or hybrid vehicle.

Word is their borrowed money will be mostly used to pay down credit card debt. Seems like the American way, using more debt to pay down debt.