Cut Them off at the Pass: Automakers consider new MPG standard to prevent Senate bill

[1931Chevy]

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/31/w...rd-to-prevent/

In the Wild West, the order would have been "Cut them off at the pass!" For carmakers today battling with wildly fluctuating forecasts for mpg, CO2, and CAFE standards, the mission is to cut them off at the Capital. Taking matters upon themselves, some manufacturers are considering a proposal that would require 36 mpg for cars and 30 mpg for light trucks.

That proposal is being offered in an attempt to derail the fuel economy measure being taken up by the Senate in a couple of weeks. That's the one that calls for a CAFE standard of 35 mpg fleetwide by 2020 and a 4% increase every year for ten years, to which the automakers have unanimously replied, 'never gonna happen.' Environmentalists are trying to make that bill even stronger, seeing that is has a provision allowing the government to reduce the standard if it is found to be too technologically or financially difficult for automakers to achieve. Senator Carl Levin, the Michigan Democrat who's a friend of the industry, is proposing an alternative that mandates 36 mpg for cars by 2022, and a 30 mpg for trucks by 2025. Let's see -- that would give a 33 mpg average for cars and trucks in a maker's fleet by 2025, which is 2 mpg and 5 years shy of the CAFE standard requested in the bill the carmakers don't like. Is it us, or is this really just about timing?

[Chaz_23]

Good, all the automakers should unite to kill all this nonsense that the ecowackos are fantasizing about. Typical for politics, regardless of who's running Congress, you always get the worse of their ideology and the best just evaporates.

[minnfang]

It really is about timing - another 5 years is huge. It gives automakers more time to drive things like direct injection, hybrids, diesels, fuel cells, etc. into a much broader range of vehicles. I can't even imagine the advancements in batteries by 2022. Look how far battery technology has come in the last 15 years.

[Slideways]

How does the saying go? Is it, "unrealistic legislation is the mother of all invention"? No, that's not it.

[editor]

Originally Posted by Slideways

How does the saying go? Is it, "unrealistic legislation is the mother of all invention"? No, that's not it.

Given the current political climate, Levin's proposal is probably DOA.

[free_energy0]

Progressive gas tax, yo.

[member12]

Wow....they'd need all full hybrids with diesels to meet those proposals.

It should be our choice to drive more fuel efficient cars. Pass a tax on gasoline and widen our roads with the funds. That way I still at least have a choice, though I would be encouraged to drive a fuel efficient car.

[gmhashope]

Originally Posted by member12

Wow....they'd need all full hybrids with diesels to meet those proposals.

It should be our choice to drive more fuel efficient cars. Pass a tax on gasoline and widen our roads with the funds. That way I still at least have a choice, though I would be encouraged to drive a fuel efficient car.

So screw over the consumer and not the industry? The auto makers should work with the politicans for a reasonable time table to increase fuel economy.

[BrickTamland]

Cut them off at the pass? I hate that cliche!

[vfr_mike]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

Cut them off at the pass? I hate that cliche!

Excuse me while I whip this out.

[asim]

Hmm...I wonder if this CAFE deal will stop the Senate legislation. The thing about the CAFE standards is that it can be changed fairly easily compared to the legislation. I don't think that the fuel economy is really going to get affected using either plan, so just go with the CAFE one!

[LAMRONH]

Originally Posted by editor

Given the current political climate, Levin's proposal is probably DOA.

Given the current level of competence, it would be good IMO if every frikkin proposed bill arrived DOA.

[editor]

Originally Posted by vfr_mike

Excuse me while I whip this out.

A Blazing Saddles reference - you must be either a cinephile or a Mel Brooks fan. Either way, its been a long time since I've seen anyone quote something out of that movie.

[Old Dood]

Originally Posted by Slideways

How does the saying go? Is it, "unrealistic legislation is the mother of all invention"? No, that's not it.

You might be on to something though. Maybe it was designed to get Auto Makers moving and thinking ahead on their own.

I can see no real reason as to why Auto Makers cannot build more fuel efficient vehicles. They are no different then the rest of us and are creatures of habit. Change is painful at times but then again change is inevitable too.

I would love none other then to see GM innovate once again and then come out on their own with real fuel efficient vehicles...soon.

This alone would propel them back to the top of the heap.

[tamatt27]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

You might be on to something though. Maybe it was designed to get Auto Makers moving and thinking ahead on their own.

I can see no real reason as to why Auto Makers cannot build more fuel efficient vehicles. They are no different then the rest of us and are creatures of habit. Change is painful at times but then again change is inevitable too.

I would love none other then to see GM innovate once again and then come out on their own with real fuel efficient vehicles...soon.

This alone would propel them back to the top of the heap.

i.e. the Volt? GM's working on it, it's just going to take time. If GM can integrate that technology across the board in the next 10 years or so, the legislation won't be as big a deal as it seems. I'm still against it though I do agree with member12. A Gas tax is what's going to MAKE people buy fuel efficient cars, not legislation. The bill is just going to require GM to make fuel efficient cars....who's to say anyone's going to buy them?