Automaker Alliance Resumes Fear-Based Fuel Economy Ads

By Kurt Ernst

Kurt Ernst

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1,650 views Jul 22, 2011

Gas pump with dollars

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A spokeswoman for the AAM confirmed that the ads would run in an unspecified number of states, specifically those with “many auto jobs or a high proportion of truck buyers.”

The decision to run the ads came after an unspecified automaker and AAM member changed its mind about opposing the ads. An industry trade association, the AAM includes Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, Toyota and eight other automakers in its membership.

The AAM has vehemently opposed stricter fuel economy regulations proposed by the EPA, which has proposed a Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 56.2 mpg by 2025.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adminstrator Lisa Jackson and President Barack Obama

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The AAM ads discount this, saying only, “families would be hit with higher car prices,” and “small businesses dependent on vans, SUVs or pickups would face limited vehicle choices.”

Many environmentalists feel that not increasing fuel economy standards could be even more detrimental to the U.S. auto industry. Jack Gillis, of the Consumer Federation of America , summed it up by saying, “reducing fuel economy requirements will ensure that U.S. vehicles remain uncompetitive in the global market.”

Nonetheless, automakers have touted gloom-and-doom worst-case predictions that many view as vastly overblown, compared to far less dire projections issued by independent observers and industry analysts.

An agreement could come as early as next week, but formal proposals from both the federal government and California aren’t due before the end of September.

[The Detroit News]

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