American's are known the World over for choosing form over function, and now less talk and more rock is necessary to get the attention of the rest of us on this matter. It's time someone started designing smart cars people actually want to drive. But for the sake of the planet I suggest not using the terms "Smart Car" or "Green Machine."

I am sure most folks definitely care at least a bit about the environment and are concerned about global warming. Oddly enough though, many people are still skeptical. Yeah it baffles me too. And while long winded "end of the world" speeches from ex-politicians and heartfelt public performances on the subject of environment and auto emissions from the Hollywood caste may fascinate someone like me for minutes on end, I get the feeling "Average Joe" still wants a cool car that can go fast - just incase he really needs to go fast.

So the plan: Don't try to win American car buyers over with a message of a dying planet. Just give them what they want. A sweet ride. Make it fast, reliable, affordable and above all - COOL LOOKIN'! No weird looking space-shoe-car-things? Even the Prius is a little hard for me to want to be seen driving. When motor companies start applying alternative fuel technologies to car models we all know and love, say the Mustang, the Jetta or the Grand Cherokee for instance, you'll see a lot more people driving clean. That's my hunch anyway.

Several companies are moving in that direction and one such company, Hybrid Technologies out of Las Vegas, Nevada, has gone so far as to team up with auto makers to create zero emission electric versions of Chrysler's Crossfire and PT Cruiser and BMW Group's Mini Cooper. These cars reach speeds of 100 mph and can exceed distances of 100 miles at 90 mph with a full charge of their light weight, amazingly powerful, lithium cell batteries. You have to check out the site for all the impressive stats on these cars. Not perfect but a great leap I think. The R-Car Crossfire (shown above) is pretty darn cool.