According to this Gita Sitaramiah story in today’s Pioneer Press, Ford dealers are seeing an increase in demand for larger trucks like the F-150 and less demand for the smaller and more fuel efficient Ford Ranger (made in Minnesota). Those following this know that the Ford Ranger was going to be discontinued, but made a comeback when gas prices spiked. Now, with gas down in the vicinity of $1.69 a gallon once again, consumers are doing the exact same thing they did the last time gas was this low. They’re paying twice as much for a vehicle that gets lousy gas mileage. (To be fair, the Ranger isn’t exactly a fuel miser either).
Oil is a complex industry full of shady dealings, but one thing that isn’t complicated is that increasing oil demand will cause higher prices eventually. LEARN! LEARN! LEARN! The industry is just waiting for another opportunity to charge $4 a gallon. They’ll take that opportunity first chance they get. That’s how this works.
I’ll excuse those who need an F-150 for actual towing, plowing or work needs. I live in the country and get that. But we don’t need a repeat of a few years ago where the highways are choked with empty trucks heading to the suburbs.
Here’s a quote from a future newspaper (provided there are newspapers in the future):
“It’s costin’ me $85 just to fill the tank,” said Larry “Larry” Larson of Youbetcha, Minn. “And since I got laid off again from the Ford plant, I can barely afford my $600 truck payment.”
In the words of another Minnesota icon, “Aaarrrggghh!”
“full of shady dealings”? So you say? OPEC seems to be very up front when it come to its dealings.
Of which “full of shady dealings” were you speaking?