AND WITH BETTER TAX POLICY WE CAN DRIVE THOSE PRICES FAR HIGHER:

The average fuel economy of 2012 model year vehicles is 14 percent higher than the same mark of just four years earlier, according to a University of Michigan study, confirming automakers' push to appeal to consumers' desires for more fuel efficient vehicles.

Model-year 2012 "light-duty vehicles" -- cars, pickup trucks, minivans, vans and sport utility vehicles -- averaged 21.5 miles per gallon, which compares to 18.9 miles per gallon for model-year 2008 vehicles. The number is also up from 21.2 from last year, 20.7 two years ago and 19 in 2009, continuing a steady trend.

"This implies that consumers tend to choose vehicle models with better fuel economy than the average of all vehicles available," said Brandon Schoettle of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. "The recent economic downturn, coupled with rising gas prices, has led to an increased interest in purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles."

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