Questions Below Refer To The Following Passage.     The oil embargoes of 1973–1975 caused vast chagrin among the manufacturers of automobiles around the world. In particular, American companies were obliged to create innovations in producing small cars that would compete in the market with those flowing into the American market from Japan and Europe.     No longer could Americans afford ostentatious, gas-guzzling vehicles.     Of paramount importance to today’s car owner is the cost of gasoline. American manufacturers have collaborated to supply their clientele with small cars that provide... Show more

Questions Below Refer To The Following Passage.    

The oil embargoes of 1973–1975 caused vast chagrin among the manufacturers of automobiles around the world. In particular, American companies were obliged to create innovations in producing small cars that would compete in the market with those flowing into the American market from Japan and Europe.    
No longer could Americans afford ostentatious, gas-guzzling vehicles.    
Of paramount importance to today’s car owner is the cost of gasoline. American manufacturers have collaborated to supply their clientele with small cars that provide the amenities of the stereotyped large American car, yet get better mileage than any other car in the history of American car production. It has become a question of ardently competing with foreign car manufacturers or succumbing to the intense competition and losing a lucrative business through apathy. The American car industry has been rejuvenated. The fuel consumption of the new cars has decreased by 49% since 1977; mileage has risen from an average 17.2 miles per gallon to 25.6 miles per gallon. These figures are indicative of a major turnaround in engineering, manufacturing, and design. The industry has made pertinent use of the computer by installing a microprocessor, a thin piece of silicon about the size of an aspirin, in new cars. This miniature computer measures engine speed, engine load, and other functions, and sends messages to the fuel system and other parts of the car’s mechanism, thus producing lower gas consumption and cleaner exhaust.    
By designing sleek, roomy, beautiful, sporty models, the automobile industry has enticed both the average-income and the affluent car buyer into purchasing small cars. In addition to saving on gas, today’s car is built to save on maintenance and repair expenses. Furthermore, the manufacturer is including the costs of maintenance inthe buyer’s purchase price. New car advertisers now claim that all the buyer has to pay for is gas. To fight corrosion, new coatings have been developed that protect against the havoc caused by road salts, gravel, and other materials. Hence, when car owners are ready to turn in last year’s car for a new one, they will find that their well-preserved used cars will have an unusually high trade-in value.    
Fuel efficient, safe, emission free, economical, and beautiful, today’s cars are better bargains than any ever produced before.  

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