Maybe the media is where to start rather than the manufacturers.
When I started looking at ecodriving I checked out YouTube or Google Video for movies on ecodriving or saving fuel. Pretty much all of those published by TV channels seem to always treat the person featured as strange, kind of like your uncle who invented cold fusion and keeps bats as pets - "hey everyone, come and have a laugh at the dancing freak..."
It still happens now. I chatted to a coworker a few weeks ago and he knows I drive to get the best MPG, he was only making conversation really and thinks it is a waste of time compared to him buying a retina-detatching WRX. But when I explained how I was getting about 40% more miles out of each tank you could see the lights going on behind the eyes. Even a small car here will take £50+ to fill up, saving £20 of that each time soon adds up to something you would rather spend your money on elsewhere - that £20 will take you and your kids to the movies for example.
Whilst I enjoy Top Gear's adventures anything to do with everyday driving is not there any more. Yes, it doesn't make exciting TV but I'm sure there is an audience for more practical stuff - we can't all just be interested in learning how to cook, having a 'make-over' or how to decorate but you would be hard pressed to tell if you looked at the TV schedules.
__________________
[I]So long and thanks for all the fish.[/I]
|