News Release
For immediate release: March 7, 2002 - Washington, DC	Contact: Ron DeFore: 202.628.5164 www.vehiclechoice.org
From a news conference at the U.S. Capitol, with Sen. George Allen (R-VA), Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), Chuck Hurley (National Safety Council), Sam Kazman (Competitive Enterprise Institute), and Diane Steed (CVC).

Statement by Diane Steed
President, Coaltion for Vehicle Choice
Addressing proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) restrictions

“On behalf of forty thousand individuals and groups who actively support the Coalition for Vehicle Choice, we view the proposed fifty percent hike in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards as a misguided attack on American families, and everyone who depends on full-size pickups, minivans, vans and SUVs for their livelihood. We know from real-world experience these increases can only be met by shrinking the size and power of a wide range of vehicles that millions of Americans depend on each and every day.

As the former head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am concerned about the safety ramifications of the current CAFE proposals – and you should be too. USA Today estimates that nearly 50,000 Americans have lost their lives in vehicle crashes that are directly linked to the current CAFE standards, which forced us all into smaller, less safe vehicles. It's preposterous to think some in Congress would put us at even greater risk by compounding the mistakes of the past.

In addition to your safety, your freedom to choose the type of vehicle that best suits your needs and lifestyles is also threatened by unrealistic CAFE increases. Some Senators claim there will be no adverse effect on consumers – they somehow believe car companies can wave a magic wand and dramatically increase fuel economy without downsizing vehicles. In the next breath, however, those same Senators move to exempt the very big, expensive pickup trucks from CAFE standards – since they know those trucks could in fact disappear under higher CAFE standards.

Now we hear that they are thinking about exempting ALL pickup trucks because farmers and ranchers need full-size vehicles. Farmers do need full-size pickups, but that same argument extends to millions of other Americans too. Simply ask minivan or SUV driving parents what kind of vehicle they need to get their kids and their gear to school or around town – or talk with people with disabilities who depend on modified vans. Do we really want our elected officials pitting 'Pickup Pops' against 'Minivan Moms' – much less small businesses, tradesmen and recreationists, all who depend on full size vehicles? One need only look at what happened in the 1970s when CAFE killed the family station wagon. Millions of people then opted for minivans and SUVs to fit their needs. Unbelievably, some in Congress are now going after those vehicles too. Just where do they expect families to turn next?

Moreover, current CAFE proposals will hurt more than just families. There are an estimated 26 million campers, RVs, boats, horses to be trailered, snowmobiles and other pieces of recreation equipment throughout America that are being towed by outdoor enthusiasts. In 1978, nearly 70% of American cars could tow 2,100 pounds. Today, less than 6% can do so. What will these people do if SUVs and other light trucks are downsized the same way large passenger cars were to meet CAFE standards? Apparently some Senators just don't care about their needs or the needs of families.

Congress shouldn't be allowed to tell one group of people, big and safe vehicles are okay for them, but they are not okay for the rest of America. How can this possibly work in the real word – will minivans, cargo vans and SUVs have to bear a greater share of the CAFE increases if pickups are exempt?

Common sense and lessons from the past should carry the day. We urge the Senate to vote AGAINST the extreme CAFE standards proposed by Senators Kerry and Hollings and FOR the Levin-Bond alternative that would base future CAFE standards on sound science.”

The Coalition for Vehicle Choice (CVC) is a 40,000 strong, non-profit organization created to preserve the rights of Americans to choose safe and affordable motor vehicles that meet their needs. CVC members include individuals and organizations representing automotive, consumer, farm, insurance, recreation and safety groups.

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