Technology for maximum fuel efficiency

Here's a look at what the automakers have up their sleeve to meet President Obama's tough fuel economy mandate.

Fuel economy monitor and gas gauge in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

• Video: Ford Fusion Hybrid 

But the strategy they'll use to increase fuel economy for cars by an average of 42% and for SUVs by 30% involves creating a wide spectrum of new technology. This technology will improve fuel economy on all vehicles and produce some with "blow-the-doors-off" mileage, way above the requirements.

Since higher fuel economy requirements have been in the cards for a while, many of these of these technologies are already on the way. Broader applications are coming, with many of these features appearing on cars that probably wouldn't have gotten them before.