| For Immediate Release June 8, 2000 |
Contact: Gloria Bergquist (202) 326-5596 |
Statement by Josephine S. Cooper, President, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, in response to fuel economy legislation introduced today in the U.S. Senate:
"Today, S. 2685, the 'Advanced Technology Motor Vehicle Fuel Economy Act of 2000' was introduced by Senators Levin, Ashcroft, and Abraham.
"Members of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers strongly support this bill, which was introduced in the House on April 13. This legislation would foster technology advancements and fleet fuel economy increases through consumer tax incentives and the flexible fuel vehicle credit, and it would provide greater clarity to our public policy priorities through a comprehensive study of fuel economy measures.
"Some proponents of higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) have called for an elimination of the current freeze, arguing that it would allow the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study whether there is a need for higher CAFE standards. This is a misinterpretation of the debate. The law requires DOT to set new light truck fuel economy standards for each model year. The last year prior to the CAFE freeze, DOT suggested up to a 35% increase in light truck standards. The proposal to eliminate the freeze for a 'study' is really a requirement for higher light truck CAFE standards.
"Since CAFE was enacted in 1975, many policies designed to increase energy conservation have come and gone, with some more successful than others. Meanwhile, our energy and economic situation has changed, along with American lifestyles. It's time to take a fresh look at current and future energy conservation measures without limiting our study to CAFE alone.
"If CAFE proponents really want a real study, they should join us in supporting this legislation and its comprehensive study of energy conservation initiatives."
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a coalition of 13 car and light truck manufacturers. Alliance member companies have approximately 600,000 employees in the United States, with more than 250 facilities in 35 states. Alliance members represent more than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle sales. For more information, visit the Alliance website at http://www.autoalliance.org/.
Mazda · Mitsubishi Motors · Nissan · Porsche · Toyota · Volkswagen · Volvo
1401 H Street, N.W. Suite 900 · Washington, D.C. 20005 · Tel: (202) 326-5523 · Fax: (202) 326-5598