Sales of Priuses are down too

[Hubert Cumberdale]

I don't think you could introduce a system via taxation that would help stabilise the fuel price if the underlying price of oil remains so volatile....

The South Africans have such a system. Basically when fuel prices are low, you pay a premium which is then used to subsidise the prices when they are high.

This helps to smooth fluctuations but is not perfect. Higher than anticipated prices, or prices higher for longer than anticipated, can mean the fund is drained very quickly, in whihc case the price has to go up anyway.

I'm not sure this is value for money, TBH. And I dont think this is why GM and Ford are effectively bankrupt.

Just build good cars and manage your stuff proper....m'kay?

 

[Furcifer]

Which confirms that it is the station, and not the oil company, that sets the price of gas at the pump.

Interesting, I'm pretty sure here in Canada only the independents can change their prices as they see fit. Any station that displays a large sign with a brand logo is controlled. As an example, we have a small indy place near here called "Big Chief" that sells "Sunoco" gas. He can change his prices as he see fit, while a Sunoco station gets a call (usually just before quitting time) to increase or decrease prices.