Automakers Urge Department of Transportation to Finalize Fuel Economy Standards Through 2015

WASHINGTON, January 29, 2009: The following is a statement by Dave McCurdy, President and CEO of Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers:

"In directing the Department of Transportation to set new fuel economy standards for MY 2011, President Obama promised a 'sustained effort' to enhance energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We share those goals and are working to bring tomorrow's fuel efficient vehicles to market.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers also encourages the Department of Transportation (DOT) to finalize federal fuel economy standards through MY 2015 as soon as possible.

To be successful, we need certainty and adequate lead time. The Department of Transportation has already done the analysis necessary finalize regulations through MY 2015. We urge Secretary LaHood to quickly review and publish these standards.

The Alliance looks forward to working with Congress, the states and the administration to help bridge competing fuel economy proposals, set aggressive standards through 2015 and direct our efforts toward meeting a national standard of at least 35 miles per gallon by 2020."

  --  Alliance members supported the EISA that will raise fuel economy to at
      least 35 MPG by 2020, a 40% increase. This means that the U.S. auto
      industry will dramatically reduce CO2 by a minimum of 30%, which makes
      us the first industry to commit to such challenging CO2 reductions.

  --  Adequate lead time is crucial to determining the technical feasibility
      of future standards.  The National Highway Traffic Safety
      Administration (NHTSA) wisely recognizes that "the agency needs to
      establish the standards as far in advance as possible so as to
      maximize the amount of lead time for manufacturers to develop and
      implement plans for making the vehicle design changes necessary to
      achieve the requirements of EISA."