O.K. here it goeeeeessssssss.

No domestic engine manufacturer can (or wants to) produce
a viable compression ignition engine for automotive use.

They can't because the domestic engineering gene pool
which was capable of producing diesel engineers has been
virtually forced into extinction by Detroit and the "Seven
Sisters". (Bigger Gas hogs Make U.S. MONEY)

Mass transit , the most efficient use of fuel, has similarly
beeen crushed by the same industrial fuedalistic lords.
With the exception of a few large urban areas.

We've allowed the same group of greedy pigs to kill off
passenger rail in the united states.

Yet, almost everything we consume is brought to us
courtesy of Diesel/Electric Rail or Class 8 Diesel trucks.

In europe they are working on Diesel/Electric hybrid autos,
(Note : a volkswagen "LUPO" 3 cylinder turbo diesel with
a 5 speed automatic transmission is reputed to get M.P.G
in the 90+ range....and it ain't even a hybrid!)

In America the push is for gas/electric hybrids for ALL the
above reasons.( "Can't produce the Technology/and don't
want to because the majority of Americans don't have a
clue....and won't even know what they missed !)

I am finally beginning to get a glimmer of understanding
about the "Founding Fathers" fear of the common man
participating in the electoral process.

"KEEP 'um in the DARK and FEED them GUANO!

Decades of artificially low energy prices have addicted us to
technological suicide.

Side Note: all the energy mess on the West Coast of late,
could be viewed as a "Testing of the Waters" to see just
how UN-aware the electorate and the "BOOBS" we elect
to represent us are. Here in GEORGIA a few years ago
the Natural Gas LOBBY managed to RAILROAD deregulation
That winter people on fixed incomes had to decide between
paying the GAS bill or food for sustinence! I fully expect
the electric power grid owners/operators/suppliers to
attempt the same !#&*%+ very soon!