| For Immediate Release February 15, 2002 |
Contact: Gloria Bergquist,
202-326-5596 Eron Shosteck, (202) 326-5501 |
Save SUVs, Minivans And Pickups
Washington, D.C. — The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers today urged the U.S. Senate to avoid passing energy legislation that would effectively eliminate sport utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks. The Senate begins debating the bill today.
"A provision in the Senate energy bill would require SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks to get as much as a whopping 75 percent increase in fuel economy. No SUV, minivan or pickup can get that mileage. This proposal threatens jobs, the economy, and family vehicles such as SUVs and minivans, and it represents a ban on light trucks," said Josephine S. Cooper, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
Pickups, minivans, vans and sport utility vehicles (or "light trucks") are the most popular vehicles in 37 states, according to recent sales data.
"There is a regulatory process underway to determine Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The Alliance will work constructively with NHTSA on a multi-year rulemaking process to improve the fuel economy of America's light truck fleet," Cooper added.
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to set fuel economy standards at the "maximum feasible" level, considering key elements such as technological feasibility, cost, safety, emissions controls, consumer choice and effects on American jobs. Automakers oppose legislative increases in fuel economy standards.
To improve fuel economy, Congress can provide consumer tax credits that encourage the purchase of new types of highly fuel-efficient advanced technology vehicles.
Automakers share the goal of increasing fuel efficiency and believe the best way to continue making progress is through the development and purchase of advanced technology vehicles. Automakers offer more than 50 models with fuel economy ratings above 30 miles per gallon, but consumers purchase few of these vehicles. Advanced technology vehicles, including hybrid-electric, fuel cell and diesel lean burn vehicles, offer the promise of significant increases in fuel efficiency without sacrificing consumer demands for safety, performance, comfort and utility. Customers may be reluctant to pay the initially higher costs of new technology, so consumer tax incentives would help accelerate the introduction of advanced technology vehicles into the marketplace.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 13 car and light truck manufacturers who account for more than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle sales. Member companies include BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. The auto industry employs about 460,000 people in California. 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) 326-5500 · Fax: (202) 326-5598