Auto industry executive: Statistics show that cars that were built smaller after 1977 to make them more fuel-efficient had a higher incidence of accident-related fatalities than did their earlier, larger counterparts.
Conclusion
(For this reason) we oppose recent guidelines that would require us to produce cars with higher fuel efficiency.
Evidence (since)
Statistics show that cars built smaller after 1977 to make them more fuel-efficient had a higher incidence of accident-related fatalities than their earlier, larger counterparts.
Evaluate
The executive is presenting a correlation between smaller, more fuel-efficient cars made after 1977 and a higher incidence of accident-related fatalities. Based on this correlation, the executive concludes that the guidelines for higher fuel efficiency should be opposed. This argument fits the Explain Curious Fact pattern since it involves correlation and implies a causal relationship.
Curious Fact
Why do smaller, fuel-efficient cars have a higher incidence of fatalities than larger, earlier cars?
Author's Explanation
The smaller, more fuel-efficient design of the cars is causing the increased fatalities, implying that higher fuel efficiency guidelines should be opposed.
To weaken this argument, we can consider suggesting alternate explanations for the increase in fatalities or pointing out that advancements have made it possible to improve fuel efficiency without the same safety drawbacks. Opposing this argument would involve stating that achieving higher fuel efficiency wouldn’t necessarily result in an increased fatality rate.
Goal
Let's find an answer that shows the argument's basis linking car size, increased accident-related fatalities, and opposition to fuel-efficiency guidelines is flawed or unwarranted.