To get federal aid, FL Senator wants Big 3 to meet 50 mpg by 2020

[mikmak]

Does he mean just US automakers or all vehicles sold in the US?

I hope he has considered the impact on plug in hybrids on electrical infrastructure...I'm sure he has.

[eurohazard]

50 mpg? No problem!

Just know that the following is a picture of a 50 mpg family "car" in Indonesia! Is this what we really want to see on American roads? That senator needs to pull his head out of his ass.

[ksr]

Originally Posted by smithb

Makes sense to me, Toyota and Honda (and BMW and Mercedes) will have 50mpg corporate average by then, so why can't American companies? This guy seems very knowledgable on the auto industry. Not to mention, everyone would love to have the type of car that gets 50mpg, and it would fit all their needs.

If it's that easy, if technological change takes no more than a decree from the high and mighty in Washington, than he is a fool. He should have mandated 200 mpg.

Mercedes and BMW are not going to have a 50 mpg average by 2020. I doubt that Toyota and Honda will either, but the Germans don't stand a chance, unless they completely stop building the sort of cars that made them successful.

[adplusone]

Remember the 100mpg carb that big oil bought and put away in a big safe back in the 70's?

Do the idiots in Congress really believe that GM (or any other maker) would sit on technology that would let them dominate the market?

Gee Maximum Bob...here is a great car that gets 50mpg combined....never mind....lets keep selling these Cobalts instead.

You can not legislate technology.

[ksr]

It's so sad how the people in Washington that caused a lot of GM's problem, with CAFE and other unnecessary regulations, that allowed unrestricted access to the U.S. market to foreign manufacturers while GM is pretty much locked out of markets like Japan and S. Korea, are the ones who now think they know how to fix GM.

But then, Chuck Rangel is responsible for writing tax law. He didn't pay his taxes on property that he owns outside the country because he said that he didn't understand the law. But he writes tax law.

And Chris Dodd and Barney Frank, the two men more responsible for the sub-prime crisis than any other (though there's more blame to go around) are still in Washington making pronouncements about how to fix the economy. The sub-prime crisis is at the root of the economic disaster across the world. These two should have been ridden out of town on a rail by now.

[tholland]

50 mpg by 2020? Sure, no problem... now give us the money.

You see how ridiculous this stipulation is? What are the consequences?... You have to give the money back in 2020?

[zete]

Stuff like this always reminds me of Mark Twain's famous quip:

Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.

[FierySolstice]

Ok there you go! Give all the auto business to Japan! No longer an American business. That makes REAL SENSE!!!

[jbartley]

Originally Posted by smithb

Makes sense to me, Toyota and Honda (and BMW and Mercedes) will have 50mpg corporate average by then, so why can't American companies? This guy seems very knowledgable on the auto industry. Not to mention, everyone would love to have the type of car that gets 50mpg, and it would fit all their needs.

hahah. you're too funny.

i knew there had to be a catch.

[1BadPig]

I'm embarrassed that he's my senator. It just goes to show you that you don't have to be all that smart to be an astronaut!

[prowlerjc]

Originally Posted by mikmak

I hope he has considered the impact on plug in hybrids on electrical infrastructure...I'm sure he has.

Oh, of course he has. The thoughts consisted of, "Infrastucture...dang that's a hard word to say. Wonder what it means," but it was a thought nonetheless.

Then he considered that hot page.

So I guess he's given the issue 'thoughtful consideration.'

[Mr. Burns]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

50 mpg? No problem!

Just know that the following is a picture of a 50 mpg family "car" in Indonesia! Is this what we really want to see on American roads? That senator needs to pull his head out of his ass.

I think part of the idea is to motivate car makers to innovate/bring in new technologies when they make these fuel efficient cars.

[Whitesky]

They want 50mpg by 2020? They better quadruple the "bailout" money (just to start). What an a__ this guy is.

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by tholland

50 mpg by 2020? Sure, no problem... now give us the money.

You see how ridiculous this stipulation is? What are the consequences?... You have to give the money back in 2020?

No need to give the money back, they would only give GM enough money to get to the 35-40mpg fleet average and the remaining 10mpg will just magically happen overnight... actually... GM will be out of business by then so the money won't be paid back.

What is the saying... something like... you can't legislate stupid?

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

50 mpg? No problem!

Just know that the following is a picture of a 50 mpg family "car" in Indonesia! Is this what we really want to see on American roads? That senator needs to pull his head out of his ass.

I say.. is that the all new 2010 Pontiac G0.5 and Chevy Cramped? Will there be a Cadillac version with chrome 15s and a single HID light?