Fuel-Efficient Cars Are Ugly for a Reason

The different automobiles that can run without gasoline (or with very little) are great for helping the environment and the pocket [“Honda Plans to Offer Fuel-Cell Car by 2003,” July 5]. And when they can operate for longer distances, they’ll be even greater.

But let’s face it. The auto industry and the oil industry are not really trying to change the public’s desire to buy one. Why is this so obvious?

Have you ever seen an “ugly” expensive car? Look at the sleek lines of the Jaguar, the Corvette. Now observe the designs of the fuel-efficient cars. No wonder the majority of people don’t buy one.

Let’s face it, most people are cosmetic buyers first. The auto and oil industries know this. Does one think the millions of Mustang buyers would have bought one if they looked like the fuel-efficient cars?

The body design mold covering the fuel-efficient cars can look like whatever the auto industry wants it to. So if the auto industry were really interested in helping the environment in addition to helping the general public fight the oil industry’s outrageous gasoline prices, fuel-efficient cars would be produced that would have people drooling just looking at one.

Currently the only thing one would say or hear is, “Here comes the ugly duckling.”

William J. Otto

Hollywood