Detroit's War against Lower Fuel Cosumption and Emissions

 I think WE  can agree that gasoline prices are a function of "SUPPLY
and DEMAND". Further, I believe WE can also agree that WE have little
or no influence on SUPPLY.

Demand is another issue ... particularly IF there were choices of
significantly higher MPG
vehicles, say, 40 to 60 mpg machines ... that currently exist.

BUT here comes DETROIT3 with a publicity campaign trying to generate
public support for "NO IMPROVEMENT in MPG and/or EMISSIONS!

Their current "19 BEST mpg Vehicles" only achieve an average of 25.9
mpg(US) combined city/
highway based on EPA 2008 methodology. These 19 vehicles are the only
"domestic" vehicles that are rated over 30 mpg combined average using
2007 EPA values. This analysis excludes Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan,
and Toyota.

Meanwhile, Ford has 5 vehicles in the EU that exceed 52 mpg(US)
combined
city/highway and a 8/9 passenger van called the Tourneo that gets
30mpg(US) combined and 35mpg(US) highway.


So here are my proposal for ACTION:


Subject: "Detroit Ad blitz pans fuel rules" = no mpg/emissions
improvement


The Auto Industry has started a PR campaign to OPPOSE improved fuel
economy AND reduced emissions!

First, I suggest WE use their tools to present our case FOR IMPROVED
FUEL
ECONOMY ... AND ... REDUCED EMISSIONS ! !.

"The [Auto] alliance [ representing the Det3 ] also has launched a
Web
site -- www.drivecongress.com -- that offers a toll-free phone number
that connects to members of Congress. It [also] offers readers a way
to send an e-mail to their Congressional representative -- complete
with talking points they can cut and paste [to oppose increased fuel
economy and subequently lower emissions]."
Reference:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/AUTO01/705 ...

According to Capitol Advantage, the site provider, ALL messages will
be delivered whether they are opposed to OR in favor better gas
mileage. If you don't trust the Auto Alliance site, here is another
one you can also use http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/


Background


Currently the auto companies with significant sales in the USA (or
their Euro partners) have over 48 vehicles in Europe that achieve
over
44 mpg(US) combined average. A majority are diesels meeting Euro Step
IV emission (and soon Step V) and all have CO2 emissions below ** 140
g/km **. By comparison, the "domestics" typically range between 240
and 500 g/km. Here is a list of these high mpg vehicles in Europe
http://www.40mpg.org/pdfs/021407_fuel_efficient_vehicle_gap.xls .

In fact, FORD has 5 vehicles that are above 52 mpg(US) combined
average. The Moneo Estate (May 2007) is rated for 49 mpg(US) highway
and the 9 passenger Tourneo is rated in the range of 35 mpg(US)
highway. This data can be verified at http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search

It is time for those that ARE disturbed by gasoline prices to take a
position on fuel economy and let your elected representatives in DC
know that WE want significantly higher mpg, say, 44 mpg(US) combined
average city/highway,  ... including a 4-6 passenger 4/5 door vehicle
in the family or upscale size/class NOW !


And if members of the Auto Alliance can not deliver NOW ...

THEN Congress should IMMEDIATELY WAIVE ALL IMPORT RESTRICTIONS AND
TARIFFS on ALL vehicles that do get 44 mpg or better, CO2 less than
140 g/km, and meet Euro Step IV (or Step V) Emissions and Safety
standards; Effective IMMEDIATELY for a period of 36 months (OR
300,000
units of each model that satisfy the criteria).


Note: This waiver should have little or no impact on the domestic
auto
industry for 3 reasons:

1) Detroit has long argued that there is NO DEMAND;

2) The domestic auto industry has not and apparently is not planning
to address the market segment needing  affordable, HIGH MPG (say,
44mpg(US) combined city/highway or greater) with less than 150 g/km
CO2 (demonstrated by the referenced ad campaign);

3) The Detroit3 has already been reorganizing and downsizing for at
least 4 years in order to more effectively address their DESIRED
products/markets to the exclussion of those in need of serious
reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.


This is one time for your voice to be heard. ACT NOW ! ! AND pass the
word.

"44 mpg by 2010 = or = WAIVE IMPORT RESTRICTIONS"


By the way, it's OK with me if you cut and paste this into one of
those emails.


For an easy way to contact your elected Congressional officials see
http://www.drivecongress.com/    "Take Action" or call 866 / 200-6262
(provided by the Detroit3)
Or  you may also use http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

  Himpg wrote:


Actually, I'm beginning to like the $3/gal  pricing.   I'm finding
traffic is significantly reduced wherever I've been over the past 6-9
months.

Now if they'd just cut out the oil subsidies and have the oil companies
charge the full cost (plus perhaps add a tax to fund GW's invasion of
Iraq), driving might again be enjoyable.

 For decades, Detroit released a far-out fuel-efficient concept car every
10 years or so just to pay lip service to the idea.  Then Toyota came
out with the Prius and is making tons of money on them.  Toyota
recently surpassed GM as the world's biggest car maker.  If that isn't a
wakeup call for Detroit, I don't know what is.

The supply of folks stepping up to pay $55K for a 9mpg SUV is limited
with $3.50 gas.  (Not even Cheney's taxpayer-supported SUV motorcade can
prop up a whole industry.)

 

No they arent.


a wakeup call for

They realise that Toyota isnt making any money on the Prius.


$3.50 gas.  (Not even

 On Sat, 26 May 2007 07:02:17 +1000, "Rod Speed"


a wakeup call for

$3.50 gas.  (Not even

WTF are you talking about. The Prius is not profitable for Toyota?
What the hell are you smoking?