United States car manufacturers should not be required to increase the fuel economy of the cars that they make. Government regulation in business may be necessary to a point, but unless a product is defective in some way (such as in the design, in the manufacturing, or in the product itself) or is dangerous to the public, the government should not regulate how a particular product is made. As such, the fuel economy of a particular car should not be regulated by any governmental body.

The United States is a capitalistic economy. The entire business culture and economic structure of this country is based upon the idea of competition within the market place. As such, this capitalistic environment should determine whether a car manufacturer changes its designs in order to conform to the public demand. Therefore, the government should not get involved unless the product is dangerous under the situations presented above.

I understand the arguments for regulating fuel economy. People are concerned about gas prices and about pollution. By regulating the fuel economy of cars and thus, forcing manufacturers to design a car that has a minimum fuel economy as determined by a governmental body, there can be more money saved on gas and less pollution in our atmosphere. However, it is not the government’s job to interfere with business.

Although gas prices and pollution are big concerns, the economy will balance the power. For example, let us pretend that American car companies continue to produce large, gas guzzlers and that they do not focus on hybrids or other fuel alternative cars. The economy will remedy this situation by way of foreign car makers making a higher profit. Once American car companies realize that the public wants hybrid or other gas alternative cars and that foreign car makers are taking chunks of the American car market, American car makers will have two choices: (1) make cars that are more fuel efficient (such as hybrid or gas alternative cars); or (2) continue to lose market share until the profits stop coming in.

American car makers have already seen a large chunk of their market share consumed by Toyota due to such an occurrence. As such, the American car companies have started mass producing hybrid and fuel alternative cars. The best part about this whole situation is that the government was not involved.

Let the economy handle the issues when it comes to standards for business. The government has more pressing concerns.