"Both
auto makers and dealers contend new regulations would be devastating
to the industry, especially as it suffers through an economic
downturn in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Furthermore,
manufacturers including General Motors ($109,820; 59 percent
to Republicans) have warned their workers and the public that
a fuel economy increase would eliminate most of its so-called
family cars, including sedans, and would force major job cuts."
From
opensecrets.org web site, High
Mileage: The Auto Industry and Fuel Efficiency
"A
fleet that relies on continuously evolving conventional technologies
could reach an average of more than 40 miles per gallon, nearly
a 75% increase over the mileage of today's fleet. Many of
these gains could be made with technologies that are already
in consumers' hands. These improvements would lead to fuel
cost savings of $3,000 to more than $5,000 over the lifetime
of a vehicle. These savings would more than make up for the
cost of the fuel economy improvements. Under such a scenario,
the typical family car could reach over 45 mpg, while the
cost of filling up an SUV could be cut in half with a fuel
economy of 40 mpg."
From
Union of Concerned Scientists web site, Drilling
in Detroit
This
issue could have important long term consequences for our
nation. Making the fuel economy requirement too high could
severely effect the automobile industry, which is a large
percentage of the economy. While making the fuel economy requirements
too low could lead to a fuel shortage, rationing of gasoline,
and a severe economic recession. The present requirements
for passenger cars is an average of 27.5 miles per gallon.
Many automobile company analysts insisted this requirement
could not be met, but after being given a few extra years,
they were able to do it. But should this number be raised
even higher, and should the new popular Saves be regulated
more?
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