U.S. gas guzzlers top "Meanest Vehicles" list

DETROIT, Feb 5 - Reuters reports that Detroit Big Three automakers produce the biggest gas guzzlers on this year's list of ``Meanest Vehicles for the Environment,'' which is compiled by The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a Washington-based environmental watchdog group.

But offerings from luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz, a German unit of German-American DaimlerChrysler AG, Lexus, the upscale division of Toyota Motor Co. , and sports car maker Lamborghini also appear on the ``dirty dozen'' list.

Compiled since 1998, the list names 12 cars and trucks that are considered the biggest offenders to the environment in their model year. It is based on a variety of factors including poor fuel efficiency, the size and exact makeup of a vehicle's smog-forming tailpipe emissions and their impact on public health and the environment.

General Motors Corp., the world's largest automaker, produces three of the five vehicles deemed most unfriendly to the environment in the 2002 model year, all of which are full-sized sport utility vehicles with automatic transmissions and four-wheel or all-wheel drive.

SUVs from crosstown rivals Ford Motor Co.and Chrysler make up the rest of the top five, and U.S. automakers produced nine of the 12 most ignominious vehicles overall, according to the ACEEE.

Lamborghini's gas-crazed L-147 Murcielago sports car took sixth place, however, followed in the No. 8 spot by the military-styled Mercedes-Benz G500, a muscle-bound SUV that went on sale in the United States last year.

Toyota, meanwhile, figured in 10th place thanks to its Land Cruiser and Lexus LX 470 -- sister SUVs that are among the oldest and thirstiest vehicles the stable of cars and trucks from Japan's top automaker.

Japanese automakers, incidentally, produce all but one of the 12 cars and trucks included on the ACEEE's list of ``Greenest Vehicles of 2002.''