ExxonMobil’s 2005 profits of $36.13 billion are apparently the largest ever recorded by any corporation in America. To celebrate, the folks at SaveOurEnvironment.org put together this funny short: ExxposeExxon.

The movie makes some good points, but let’s face it, high oil prices encourage conservation and research on alternative energy technologies.

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I’m a fan of the Smart, the fuel efficient European roadster that’s smaller than a Mini (see above). It’s coming to America, but indirectly and not without some complexity. Oddly, considering the current energy crisis and that buyers appear to be looking for more efficient vehicles now, there’s a lot of red tape involved with bringing efficient vehicles new or old to the US.

Take these Japanese K-Cars that get around 50 miles per gallon and can be imported and bought used for under $5000, but only in Canada. There’s a company importing small, efficient trucks, but only for farm-use in the US. In short, other than big trucks and expensive hybrids, all we have are pogo-sticks and mono-wheelers.

tags: coming to america, complexity, efficient, energy, energy crisis, fuel, fuel crisis, fuel efficient, fuel efficient car, fuel efficient cars, hybrid, miles per gallon, mini, mpg, prius, roadster, smart, transportation

Mike Whelan posted the above photo to his Flickr photostream recently.

Back in April, when gas prices were still well below the $3-per-gallon mark, it looked like sales of SUVs were starting to slow. Interestingly, we’ve crossed the threshold Keith Bradsher quotes in High and Mighty, his book detailing how the US auto industry became so dependent on SUVs and how common sense has been powerless against them. The threshold was the point at which gas prices would begin having the same effect on current car purchases as the 1970s oil crisis did.

Oil prices are rising as oil reserves are declining. Where will you be when we find ourselves on the far side of the Hubbert Peak?

tags: auto industry, automobiles, car purchases, cars, crisis, empty gas tanks, energy, energy crisis, energy prices, gas, gas prices, hubbert peak, oil, oil crisis, oil prices, oil reserves, peak oil, powerless, suvs