Roanoke Times Editorial, May 3, 2008

It looks like the hard-core economists were right all along. When it comes to their vehicles, Americans don't care much about the environment or the national security implications of the nation's addiction to foreign oil.

No, the only thing that gets them out of those gas-guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks is a hit to the pocketbook.

Gas prices top $3.50 per gallon, and there's little hope that they'll be coming down any time soon, if ever. Coincidentally, last month Americans bought more fuel-efficient compact and subcompact cars than ever before. They also chose four-cylinder engines over the more powerful -- and gas hungry -- six-cylinder models.

American automakers, who had built their businesses on big vehicles with high profit margins, suddenly find themselves in even worse trouble. Didn't they see this coming?

Years ago, some environmentalists urged the nation to jack up the price of gasoline. Set it high enough, they argued, and people will consume less. That idea never went anywhere.

They only had to wait.