Automakers Tout Green and Clean Vehicles

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2004 -- The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers today joined with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to introduce a new generation of clean vehicles. Beginning this year, motor vehicles are available that are 99 percent cleaner than vehicles 30 years ago.

Alliance President Fred Webber stated, "Tier 2 represented a significant challenge for automakers and I am pleased to report that we are meeting that challenge. For model year 2004, we will exceed the industry wide requirement by 10 percent with more than 35 percent of all new vehicles being Tier 2 compliant. The vehicles represented here are just a few examples of the vehicles available today that meet Tier 2's stringent emissions standards. We are delighted to be here to celebrate this success story."

In 1999, through its Tier 2 rulemaking, EPA addressed automobiles and fuels as one integrated system. The result was a rulemaking effort that included unprecedented cooperation from the auto and fuel industry. Automakers committed to producing vehicles that met tough new standards beginning in 2004.

Under Tier 2, all passenger cars and light trucks must meet the same stringent emissions standards by 2009. Tier 2 also requires refiners to reduce the sulfur content of fuels by 90 percent. The introduction of lower sulfur fuels will ensure that advanced vehicle emissions controls will achieve their full potential.

The auto industry continues to invest billions of dollars in research and development to produce the advanced technology vehicles - such as lean burn, direct injection systems, gasoline hybrid powered cars and fuel cells - that will provide yet another giant leap for low emission vehicle technology.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of nine car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. One out of every 10 jobs in the U.S. is dependent on the automotive industry. No other industry is linked to so much U.S. manufacturing or generates more retail business and employment. For more information, visit www.autoalliance.org.