The Tanking of 'Supercar,' Starting Today in the Chicago Tribune

CHICAGO, Dec. 5 -- America now imports 56 percent of its oil -- the highest share ever -- while fuel economy for the average U.S. passenger vehicle is the worst in 20 years.

It didn't have to be this way. Find out why America has failed to develop an ultra-efficient car in Supercar, a three-part series starting Sunday, Dec. 8, in the Chicago Tribune.

In 1993, President Clinton, Vice President Gore and the CEOs of the Big Three auto manufacturers announced the intent of government and industry, over the next 10 years, to pool resources toward development of a family car capable of achieving 80 miles per gallon.

This "Supercar" would reduce pollution and slow global warming, cut the nation's reliance on oil imports and inject new life in the domestic auto industry. Nine years after it was born in pomp and splendor, Supercar is dead.

Reporter Sam Roe takes readers behind the scenes -- from the birth of the Supercar concept to its eventual demise -- in a three-part series that begins Sunday, December 8, in the Chicago Tribune, and continues December 9 and 10.

The first installment looks at the politics, negotiations and personalities behind the launch of the Supercar project. Part 2 explores the turf wars that arose as government agencies and automakers pursued the holy grail of fuel efficiency. The series wraps with an examination of the forces that ultimately put the brakes on Supercar. Supercar starts in the Sunday, Dec. 8, Chicago Tribune, which is available in Chicago beginning Saturday morning. The series also can be found online at www.chicagotribune.com.