A Plan to Jumpstart Our Economy: 44+ mpg combined average Vehicles by February 2009 and Improve National Security
Strategy: The President or President Elect can waive (NOW or immediately after the Inauguration) all tariffs, import, safety, and emissions restriction on vehicles achieving more than 44 mpg(US) [53 mpg(Imperial)] combined average and that satisfy Euro Step IV (or Step V) emissions [with DPFs for diesels] plus current Euro safety standards for a period of 24 months.
Justification: This waiver could be executed immediately by Executive Order as justified under the WAR POWERS ACT because oil imports ARE a NATIONAL SECURITY issue.
Setup: Now, immediately notify the domestic auto manufacturers of the plan and schedule giving them a warning that this waiver is coming and that they can either participate in the solution by delivering these high mpg vehicles through their distribution networks while they revise their domestic manufacturing to comply with US safety and emission standards or the individual consumers will import on their own.
This is a minimum resource/cost, quick response solution for Detroit to start generating cash flow through temporary use of excess non-domestic product and production capacity while they retool domestically for a more appropriate domestic product set. This would be a serious jumpstart to a new level of automotive product fuel frugality and lower emissions. It might, in the simplest form, just require figuring out how to put emissions corrected fuel frugal Euro power trains in US vehicle designs.
Benefits: IF ... Detroit and others committed to and quickly built these FUEL FRUGAL vehicles within the US in high volumes ASAP, we could "kill 16 birds with one stone":
1) reduce automotive CO2 emissions potentially by 50% or more per “average” vehicle
2) generate domestic jobs (put Americans BACK to work)
3) scare speculator out of the petroleum market
4) start reducing oil consumption AND oil imports currently costing about $300~800 BILLION/YEAR (potentially to ZERO by 2020 with 100 million 45 mpg and greater vehicles and supplemental bio fuels)
5) stimulate the US economy ... with a needed useful and sellable product (IF rationally priced)
6) reducing imported oil purchases would add funds (up to $300~800 BILLION/YEAR at current prices) to the domestic economy causing increase in (and recovery of previously lost [due to oil import purchases]) Federal/State Tax revenues (up to $400~800 BILLION/YEAR)
7) provide the consumer an opportunity experience and use these machines to reduce vehicle operating costs (possibly $1,000 per year or more) returning money to the domestic economy for other goods and services
8) provide an opportunity to export these FUEL FRUGAL vehicles when exchange rates and productivity/efficiency allow (proved the US built vehicles satisfy both US and Euro safety/emissions standards) providing even more domestic jobs
9) rejuvenate the "domestic" auto industry, manufacturing technologies, and innovation
10) give AMERICA a pride in accomplishing something difficult and constructive for the future
11) provide a viable bridge to future advanced automotive/transportation technologies (2018 and beyond)
12) improve balance of trade
13) clean small, under 1.8 liter, turbo diesel engines would provide a viable path to bio diesel
14) improve National Security because of reduced dependence on foreign oil and a strong industrial sector
15) help stabilize the WORLD economy and security
16) the import waiver would give immediate product availability, cash flow for Det3, visibility to consumer preferences, plus immediate alteration of market dynamics and direction prior to implementation and use of complex domestic regulations
Background: FORD/Volvo/Mazda and GM/Chevy/Vauxhall already have numerous vehicles in Europe rated above 51, 61, and 71 mpg(Imperial) [above 42, 50, and 59 mpg(US) ] combined cycle. Unfortunately many are diesel ... BUT NOT ALL! [Sadly Chrysler does not seem to have fuel frugal technology even in Europe above 40 mpg(US).]
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/sea...lConSearch.asp
It is my belief that 100 million 44 (and greater) mpg combined average vehicles introduced into the US over the next 10~12 years could reduce light vehicle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by about 50%. With the proper implementation of renewable bio fuels oil imports could easily approach zero. And in fact, it might be possible to generate a surplus of domestic petroleum ... then the US could join OPEC!
Consider that currently there are about 260 million registered "light vehicles" for roughly 180 million licensed drivers, so 100 million new fuel frugal vehicles over the next 10~12 years could have a significant impact on the US jobs, economy, fuel consumption, oil imports, the industrial base, balance of trade, National Security, and world stability.
If these ideas are worthwhile, please pass them on.