As skiers, our pastime is inextricably linked to the auto industry. Will we be part of the problem, or part of the solution?...

As I’m writing this, GM has filed for bankruptcy, Chrysler is finalizing a purchase by Fiat, Frank Stronach and the Russians are buying Opel, and Ford is moving to the top of the heap in the North American auto industry.

Which is a lot like being the top buzzard on the mung wagon.

How it will all work out is hard to tell, but this mess could be a good thing in the long run.

Of course, this is little solace to the tens of thousands who have lost their jobs through layoffs, plant closures and bankruptcies. Notice that it’s not the high-priced execs who are falling on their swords and being carried off on their shields.

No, it’s the rank and file worker who’s catching it in the throat and facing retraining, relocating or worse.

But if you’re on the top tier of this recession, now is a great time to buy a vehicle and help kick-start our global economy. But will we be part of the problem, or part of the solution?

Skiers have a vested interest in more efficient, earth-friendly vehicles, as our sport will be one of the first to be crippled if global warming really does set in. We need to be responsible in our choices, and see the larger picture.

Luckily(!) last summer’s fuel spike brought fuel economy into sharp focus. Nothing like $1.50 a litre gas to catch your attention. And it’s not going to change much over the next while, just creep ever upward.

1. Let hybrids mature. Yes, they’re sexy and make you feel good inside and prove you’re green, but they’re not economically sound at today’s prices. Example: Toyota’s excellent Highlander has a base model 4 cylinder model that is $10,000 less than it’s hybrid sibling, yet it uses about 1 L/100 km more gas in overall EPA gas mileage ratings. Want a third row in the hybrid? Add more moolah. With gas at $1.00/Litre, it’s going to take a looong time to recoup that outlay. Only a few hybrids make economic sense: Chevy Malibu , Ford Fusion, and Honda Insight all are within the same price ballpark as their conventional counterparts.
2. Buy for your everyday needs. that massive SUV is great for hauling stuff to the hill and the cottage, but does your second car need to be another SUV, or CUV, or can you handle a small commuter-style vehicle? Nothing is more wasteful than a Yukon or Sequoia running errands with only the driver aboard. Worried about your image? Volvo, Mercedes, Audi and even BMW make smaller, much more fuel-efficient vehicles with no loss of cachet.
3. Big can still be smart. People will still need big, but big can be smart. Look at the new, slightly smaller, more efficient vehicles out there. Instead of a Yukon or Tahoe, try an Envoy, Acadian or Enclave. You’ll probably find that the new size of these vehicles is enough for your needs, without the old-tech inefficiencies of the previous generation of SUVs.
4. Buy the best product available, regardless of country of origin. GM and Ford and even Chrysler make some excellent products now, and will make even better products in the future, God willing and the creek don’t rise. But for too long the domestics were supported by poor purchasing decisions by consumers, and North American manufacturers were reluctant to face their collective inability to produce relevant smaller cars. Shop everybody, including the domestics, and buy what’s best for you. Surprisingly, for some, they’ll find good matches in the domestic showrooms.
5. Accessorize! Try this on for size: look at a vehicle one size smaller than your maximum size and then factor in a rooftop carrier into the equation. Smaller car, less fuel, cargo capacity in your garage until it’s needed. But…
6. Be fuel wise. If you do rack it up, don’t leave the dang thing on all year long, or it’ll suck your tank dry. In fact, there are so many useful fuel saving tips out there that entire books are being written on the subject. One excellent book that I’ll be reviewing in detail later this year is 75 Ways to Save Gas by Jim Davidson, from Penguin Books. You’ll save the purchase price back in the first month with some easy and free gas-saving ideas.

Hey, today is a great time to be a driver! Excellent vehicles, a choice of powerplants, and entertaining driving experiences abound.

The SUV is dead, I hope, but driving pleasure lives on. In five years we could see moderately priced hybrids, clean and torquey diesels, and Fiats, Alfas, Opels, and Penske Saturns ripping around. Not to mention the European models Ford and GM don’t import yet, but hopefully will soon.

Hey,  the Chevy Volt will be here very soon—plug it in, and drive all day without a drop of gas!

By a car, support all those auto workers out there, foreign or domestic. It’s the only way to improve the species!

Written by Peter Gilbert