Automakers Ask White House To Reject 62 MPG Standard

[William Maley]

Automakers Ask White House To Reject 62 MPG Standard

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

May 13, 2011

A trade group representing Detroit's Big Three, Toyota Motor Corp., and eight other manufacturers asked the Obama administration to say no to a proposal that would impose a 62 mpg requirement by 2025.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said in a letter addressed to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson, "Fuel economy and greenhouse gas targets should not be arbitrary numbers, chosen before the necessary analyses are completed. That would circumvent the rulemaking process and undermine the ongoing collaborative effort to set sound standards."

The letter from the trade group comes a few weeks after eighteen senators led by Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, asking LaHood and Jackson to consider a 62 MPG standard by 2025, which equates to a 6-percent increase from 2017 and on. The increase in fuel economy could cost anywhere from $770 to $3,500 per vehicle, depending on the stringency.

Automakers argued that if the 62 MPG requirement was put into effect, that would cause sales of vehicles to drop by 14% due to rising cost of vehicles with new fuel saving measures. Also, it could lead to an equal 14% drop in the workforce (about 250,000 jobs).

Daniel Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, criticized the letter,

"It is sad but typical that the automakers are trotting out the same tired excuses for not making efficient vehicles to meet the needs of American facing high gas prices," said Becker.

Currently, a 35 MPG standard is in place for 2016.

Source: The Detroit News

[Potluck]

as much as I'd like to see fuel economy go up, 62mpg is a bit high to be realistic.

[Cremazie]

Automakers know that if they have to make 62 mpg, they will have to build 90 mpg snoremobiles in order to provide customers with 30 mpg trucks that they will want. (even if they can make it that high).

[Potluck]

diesel Volt's all around.

[Robert Hall]

diesel Volt's all around.

If this goes through, they are going to need to sell a lot of Chevy Sparks and Aveos...maybe diesel and electric or hybrid versions of each...and Caddy will need a Spark-based entry level model. And the 6000lb trucks are going to need to go on a big diet and get the 1.4 as the standard engine. Lots of drastic measures..

This mandate seems to be too aggressive for the time frame, maybe realistic in another 20-30 years.

Edited May 13, 2011 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Justin Bimmer]

Well, GM has been working on hybrid systems on buses for a long time. Maybe this system will have to find its way into pickup trucks.

[Drew Dowdell]

Well, GM has been working on hybrid systems on buses for a long time. Maybe this system will have to find its way into pickup trucks.

It already is? It's the same basic concept as the 2-mode.

[Justin Bimmer]

Well, then the tech is going to have to get better on the two-mode or start making it standard on trucks.

[G. David Felt]

Time to shed the blood of criminals, Shoot the Politicians. This 62MPG is a total outrageous mark for 2025. The tree huggers need to wake up to the limits of how fast Engineering can make these gains. If they asked to require each Automotive company to have a 62MPG auto by 2025 that would be a more realistic goal.

Politicians and Safe Climate Campaign groups and the like WAKE UP, you will hurt this country more than help by having outlandish goals.

[daves87rs]

Time to shed the blood of criminals, Shoot the Politicians. This 62MPG is a total outrageous mark for 2025. The tree huggers need to wake up to the limits of how fast Engineering can make these gains. If they asked to require each Automotive company to have a 62MPG auto by 2025 that would be a more realistic goal.

Politicians and Safe Climate Campaign groups and the like WAKE UP, you will hurt this country more than help by having outlandish goals.

+1

Gotta agree with some of this.

There is no way in hell I'm paying 20+ grand for some base eco compact car....and is exactly what will happen.

diesel Volt's all around.

If this goes through, they are going to need to sell a lot of Chevy Sparks and Aveos...maybe diesel and electric or hybrid versions of each...and Caddy will need a Spark-based entry level model. And the 6000lb trucks are going to need to go on a big diet and get the 1.4 as the standard engine. Lots of drastic measures..

This mandate seems to be too aggressive for the time frame, maybe realistic in another 20-30 years.

+1

[Camino LS6]

Impossible goals set by uninformed idealists to be imposed by unredeemable idiots... guys, this just isn't going to work.

[balthazar]

"It is sad but typical that the automakers are trotting out the same tired excuses for not making efficient vehicles to meet the needs of American facing high gas prices," said Becker.

When sales of 15 MPG and less vehicles fall to zero, Americans will have broadcasted their needs.

Meanwhile, politicians can fold their elite lard asses into the backseats of Geo Metro veggie-oil conversions 100% of the time for business trips- no more helicopters and Lear jets. That's what Americans need.

[frogger]

50mpg is realistic with cars like the Volt the beginning of a trend.. Gas prices doubling or maybe tripling in this time frame will probably make sure of that. 62 mpg would take a minor miracle.

[ocnblu]

I'm happy where I'm at, but I will not go any smaller, nor will I pay more. These people are inmates in charge of the asylum.

[SAmadei]

Is this the thread with the most positive upvoting per reply ever or what?

[Intrepidation]

Fuel economy will go up as technology and efficiency improves and, most of all, as the market demands. Lawmakers can stop wasting our tax dollars debating it and let the companies build what the people want.

[Potluck]

how about vehicle weight standards instead? You know what Mr. Lacrosse? You're too fat for a family sedan, you need to go on a diet.

Edited May 16, 2011 by Potluck

[Drew Dowdell]

but then "cars will be less safe! Think of the children!!!!!@12121!!!!!"