Worse than the Dubai Deal?

If you've ever wondered why we can't cut our foreign oil consumption, read on...

Right now, there are cars which get 40, 50, even 60 miles per gallon buzzing around the roads of Europe, Japan, Australia, even Canada. Yet these cars are not imported, made here, or even allowed on US roads.

I got interested in Smart Cars, produced over the last few years by DaimlerChrysler. They are bitty little things, and considered trendy in super-congested cities like London. You can see them here: http://www.smartimes.co.uk/

Actual owners love'em... 0-60 in 6-8 seconds, stop on a dime, half the fuel needed for US cars, under U$18,000. They meet the strictest EU pollution standards as well as using less fuel. Judging by their very low insurance rates, they are as safe as any small car; and surely safer than a motorcycle. Just the thing for zipping around town , students, etc?

SO WHY again aren't these cars sold here? Why has Chrysler (which we assume is German-run) downsized their workforce for this rapidly growing brand from 1,350 to 750, and put the American versions, including a Diesel SUV, on perpetual hold?

I think this might be the real reason:

For now, investors such as Bader Mohammad al-Saad, managing director of the Kuwait Investment Authority, DaimlerChrysler's largest shareholder, say Zetsche is making the right choices.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aTUk6Iy5.u2k&refer=europe

It isn't in Kuwait's interest for Americans to ever cut their gas consumption, is it...