A TV commercial for the Lexus CT Hybrid I saw today asks the
question: “What’s the point of an EPA estimated 42 miles-per-gallon, if the
miles aren’t interesting?” Um, gee, I don’t know, maybe for saving money on
ridiculously overpriced gas? Maybe so there are less emissions so there’s less
air pollution? Maybe so America won’t have to import so much oil from overseas
nations that use the profits to fund terrorism? Maybe because it might help
reduce the environmental impact and slow the speed of climate change? Maybe
even just so the driver wouldn’t have to stop for gas as frequently? But apart
from these mere trifles, I guess you’re right, Lexus: what’s the point of fuel
efficiency?
I guess the point Lexus is making is that if we have humdrum
lives, perhaps we don’t merit or even deserve good fuel economy. And since Lexus doesn’t see the point in it, are
they really even making cars that
get good fuel efficiency, or are they simply claiming to do so? Because if they
got caught, they could just say: “Well, what’s the point of fuel efficiency
anyway if the miles aren’t interesting, and since most of you American drivers
just get stuck in rush hour commuter traffic all the time anyway, we figured it
wasn’t worth bothering over.” And isn’t that what it kind of sounds like
they’re saying in this ad anyway?
(I wonder if Lexus has degree-of-interest-per-mile analysts
working for them to measure whether or not each Lexus CT Hybrid driver’s miles
are interesting enough to warrant the fuel economy of the 42 miles-per-gallon?
And if a driver didn’t make the cut due to a lack of interesting miles, Lexus
could lower the MPG of the car to a more suitably low number via remote control
to punish the driver for subjecting their wonderful automobile to such drab
driving conditions. Because after all, what is the point of fuel economy if your miles aren’t interesting? Right?)
Here’s the hybrid car ad that doesn’t seem to see the point
in fuel efficiency unless you’re a social butterfly whose every driven mile is
endlessly fascinating:
