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The four most important factors for high efficiency cars as I see it, in order from most critical to less critical is:
1) Drivetrain efficiency
2) Aerodynamics
3) Weight
4) All other rolling friction
Those are the design issues that we need to focus on. Other things outside of design are planned obsolescence and changes like styling for the sake of change. Also, the number of models needs to be based on actual functional choices.
All companies should use the year that a vehicle is sold as the model year. This takes the pressure off of making change for changes sake. It also (hopefully) will reduce the prevalence of planned obsolescence; and increase the durability and the recycle-ability of the materials used. All these things would greatly lower costs over the long run.
All design changes should be based on functional improvements. Imagine it: higher and higher reliability, better and better efficiency, continuous safety improvements, more and more recycled materials, design changes based on owner’s needs — what a concept!
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