Toyota has some problems

[Altitude]

So did I miss the news about this great breakthrough with US manufacturers and the increased mileage ratings? Or have we been lied to for years and making fuel efficient vehicles isn't as hard as they have made it seem?

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by Altitude

So did I miss the news about this great breakthrough with US manufacturers and the increased mileage ratings? Or have we been lied to for years and making fuel efficient vehicles isn't as hard as they have made it seem?

No - it's because the EPA changed the way the fuel economy is calculated, making really economical cars seem worse, and less economical cars seem better. Plus, with one super-eco model in each line-up, US mfrs can say "gets up to" XX mpg for each model. Without having to mention that it is only the expensive, slow car that does that.
It's called "advertising"