There is definitely more interest in fuel-efficient cars like hybrids. When the price of gas is high, everyone is interested.

Concept cars are used to introduce a new body style and, on top of that, the manufactures throw in all kinds of features. Often, those ideas are not ready for production. It usually takes three years from design to production.

I don't think they (SUV buyers) are terribly concerned yet. I'm not sure buyers believe this price increase is permanent.

Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that.

Engines were calibrated so if you gave up one second of 0-to-60-performance and gained a half-mile-per-gallon in fuel economy, you would make that trade-off every day. Cars were just awful.

This is absolutely what was needed to satisfy Wall Street.