Recently, auto manufacturers have showcased a new line of cars, faster and with more horsepower than most drivers could possibly use. A few with more than 500 horsepower. Sounds great, right?

Not exactly.

Car manufacturers have been complaining that car sales have fallen, and that they are having to lay off workers or close some of their plants so that they can meet their bottom line. Consumers are not taking advantage of big discounts that auto dealers offer.

Sounds like the auto manufacturers don’t have a clue what this country needs right now.

We do not need a car with 500 horsepower that can go 0-60 mph in five seconds. Auto manufacturers have the technology to build cars and trucks with all the gadgets, horsepower and such, but a common-sense approach would be to build cars and trucks that would be fuel efficient and still have plenty of power.

I believe the oil companies and auto manufacturers are in cahoots to bleed the public dry. They don’t care if we pay inflated prices for gas and oil.

It’s time that we consumers start demanding that our representatives and senators pressure the auto builders to build energy-efficient cars and trucks, and stop wasting consumers’ money on needless products that are much too expensive. They have the ability to do it, but just don’t want to.

Gerry Labrie, Auburn