So apparently, when Congress sent the energy bill to the President, it arrived in a Toyota Prius. 

The response from Michigan was not a good one.

Rep. Candice Miller said, "It's a huge slap in the face, calculated, I believe, just to demonstrate their complete disregard for the domestic auto industry." 

Complete disregard is a great way to put it.  Kind of like the complete disregard Detroit's had for decades when it comes to the very real demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

What can you say?  Toyota delivered what Detroit couldn't.  Or wouldn't.  Either way, you can't fault the Japanese for building a better mousetrap. 

Of course, Nancy Pelosi was quick to accuse Republicans of "merely attempting to distract from the success of the Democratic energy security legislation."  Success?  Really???

The last time I checked, the Democrats lost this one.  Although they did, somehow manage to spin it into a win for the American people.  Typical.

In any event, Rep. Mike Rogers and Rep. Candice Miller said that the House Speaker could've provided the same symbolism by sending the bill in a U.S.-built hybrid.  And they're right.  The energy bill was half-assed, just like the hybrids Detroit just started pumping out.

That being said, we're still hopeful GM will make good on the Chevy Volt, which will deliver 40 miles in all-electric mode before switching over to its hybrid engine.  If they pull this off, Toyota will then have to take a backseat to Detroit when it comes to fuel efficiency. 

Not because those bureaucrats on the Hill cried about symbolism and those pesky, cheap-shot-taking Democrats/Republicans, but because, in the capitalist spirit, the better company competed...and won.

By the way, the top 10 list of most fuel-efficient cars of 2007, as reported by Edmunds.com includes:

1.)    Toyota Prius

2.)    Honda Civic Hybrid

3.)    Toyota Camry Hybrid

4.)    Toyota Yaris

5.)    Honda Fit

6.)    Toyota Corolla

7.)    Mini Cooper

8.)    Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio

9.)    Honda Civic

10.)Nissan Versa

I know it's not New Year's yet.  But my wish for the New Year is that Detroit finally gets its act together and delivers a real fuel-efficient vehicle for us to drive.  It would be nice to see GM or Ford at the top of that list.  It would be even nicer to see the U.S. auto industry become strong again.

Though understandably cautious, we're equally optimistic about GM pulling this off with the Volt. 

To a new way of life, and a new generation of wealth...

Jeff