Consumer Power Can Change Auto Industry

Donald Nauss’ “Gas Engine Is Not About to Go” [Jan. 11] says it all as to why the ancient fossil fuel thumper-pumper has not long ago become extinct: The auto industry and the oil industry are using it to prop each other up--to hell with all this wild talk about clean air.

It is we, the consumers, who must make them get off the pot. Stop buying new cars powered by fossil fuels. Fix up our old models.

When the auto industry sees its sales figures drop, you can bet it will bring out hydrogen fuel cells and other nonpolluting power plants faster than you can say, “Fill ‘er up.”

WILLIAM B. ANDERSON

Costa Mesa