Have auto makers kept pace with product improvements?

Well, it's official. The Feds announced a new nationwide fuel economy and emissions mandate for cars and trucks. While we certainly welcome vehicles that get better mileage, it made me wonder about just how eager the auto manufacturers have been to make it a reality. Virtually every product that we use evolves and improves over time. Here are some examples: the first computers that took up entire rooms and were as slow as a plow horse are now laptops. Cell phones. Remember the 5 pound milk carton that had a range of about 10 miles and the console models in cars? How much have they changed in 5 years? The television used to be a black and white 15 inch, tube blowing, temperamental monster. Today it's a flat screen mounted on the wall with a 50 inch screen! How much more efficient have home heating furnaces become? They are now smaller in size and use less fuel. Now let's take a look at the internal combustion engine. While it has certainly improved from the 1920's, it sure hasn't kept pace with its contemporary inventions has it? One could argue that fuel injection has really been the most outstanding improvement. Now don't get me wrong, between 1975 and 2005 auto emissions have improved by leaps and bounds. Did the brilliant folks that improved computers and cell phones have no counterparts in the auto industry? Makes you wonder, doesn't it? GM has developed one of the most dynamic new engines in decades. It is an all new design with nearly 35% fewer parts. It is a diesel V-8 that can deliver excellent fuel economy and meet the most stringent emission standards. In the US the word "diesel" does not equate with "normal". I read a comment from one of the lead engineers on the project. His hope was that his revolutionary design would be welcomed as a great ENGINE and not as just a low volume diesel. This engine was scheduled to go into production this year. In light of GM's financial problems and wonderful guidance from their new majority owner, the Government, the motor has been shelved! I'd like to hear from that design engineer today. Just makes me wonder what if??????