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Fuel Economy
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| Yes | 81% | 480 votes | Total: 592 votes | |
| No | 19% | 112 votes |
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Add to FavoritesIt's amazing that this is even a question, as there really is no legitimate argument to the contrary.
It's unfair to force American companies to be held to these high standards when the rest of the world's automakers aren't being held to the same standard. Well, a little research will clearly expose this paper thin argument. The rest of the world's automaker's don't need this type of requirement because they have all been pro-active and socially and environmentally responsible enough to increase the efficiency of their vehicles without government intervention. Toyota has a highly successful hybrid line with fuel efficiencies presently 30-50% higher than the average American vehicle. Volkswagen is releasing a line of clean diesel vehicles that tout mileages in the 50-60mpg range, and have plans to release hybrid versions of these vehicles next year that will have a reported 60-70 mpg. Honda has hybrid vehicles. Even BMW is joining the parade. So, is it unfair? No, it's just sad that our CEO's don't have the sense of social and environmental responsibility to do what is right and not worry about lining the pockets of their buddies over at Exxon. So, yes, government intervention IS required.
American automaker's won't be able to compete if their forced to significantly raise the fuel efficiency of their fleets. The funny thing here is that American car manufacturer's over the past twenty have continuously been beaten to the punch by the rest of the world's auto manufacturers in terms of innovation, design, quality, and price. This is no less true when it comes to making fuel efficient vehicles. Clearly, it can be done. The Japanese have been doing it for years and the Germans are doing it. The fact is, that the government really needs to force the American automaker's to meet these high fuel efficiency standards in order to force them to remain competitive. It's ashame that it would take government intervention to get a company to want to better itself and remain competitive and viable.
As we watch GM's marketshare continue to erode, Ford stave off bankruptcy, and Chrysler be bought out by another "savior", we must ask ourselves why have these once monsters of the auto industry all become has beens struggling for a foothold and identity? Is is stubborn pride? Is it short-sightedness? Whatever it is, this latest battle they have waged to resist an increase to fuel economy standards is another symptom of the illness that is killing the once proud and strong American auto industry. Making fuel efficient vehicles isn't a challenge because it's already being done by others. Instead, it's stubborn CEO's who don't want to be told what to do, even if it may be the last hope to save their dying empires. Instead, it's CEO's who have interests outside of the public good.
In the end, it shouldn't NEED to be a requirement. However, for the sake of our faltering economy and failing industries, our government must intervene to save the American auto industry from itself. Is it about social and environmental responsibility? Yes. Is about simply doing the right thing? Yes. It's also about remaining competitive and remaining viable.
Learn more about this author, Michael Davis.
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No
We all want better fuel economy. Forcing the issue, however, means government mandates and, if we don't know it by now from other federally "required" programs, government intervention means increased costs and unreal paperwork for businesses already struggling to compete in a global market.
Since US manufacturers pay workers better (and should continue to do so) they already have one handicap to overcome. This isn't the topic of this discussion, but drastically cutting CEO and top management salaries to reasonable levels would do a whole lot to help bridge that wage gap. But we don't need to add government bureaucracy to the mix and make expenses higher.
Can U.S. car manufacturers increase the fuel economy of the vehicles they produce? Of course they can since other countries are producing high efficiency vehicles on a regular basis. And if U.S. manufacturers want Americans to buy American, they will have to produce more fuel efficient vehicles or they will continue to lose sales.
Part of the problem is "us" -the consumer. Even with gasoline prices skyrocketing, Americans are fighting hard not to change their driving habits. Mostly, we still drive when we want to drive. Our cities and states need to subsidize more public transportation, for sure, especially outside metropolitan areas. But we honestly do need to check out carpooling...and walking...a lot more closely on an individual basis.
More importantly, Americans drive what they very seldom need to drive. At this point in time it looks like American consumers will fight hard before giving up the "soccer-mom" vans or the "big truck" thing even when people don't need any truck, let alone an extended-cab or huge-tire "cool" truck. The truly energy conscious truck owner keeps a small truck if he/she only hauls occasionally, but does need one. Businesses, of course, need trucks to do whatever their job load requires, and businesses are usually all too willing to buy exactly what they need and only what they need. So far as I know there is no reason to own a huge truck with gigantic tires that serves no function other than soothing the owner's ego. I've seen some of these with beds so clean that nothing has ever been allowed in the bed, let alone allowed to be "trucked." Yet some of these people complain the most about energy costs. Hey, guys, even those big tires add to your gas consumption-you want them, you pay at the pump.
Sportsmen will not trade down to anything but a gas-guzzling ATV, although the sportsmen I know are at least realistic and expect their gas costs to be high. A lot of it comes down to that-you do pay for what you cannot live without.
On a general "household" level, two friends recently purchased new vehicles. One did get a "soccer-mom" van, but a foreign make and gas consumption, plus price and a longer guarantee was part of the decision. Her main reasoning, however, was that there's more "leg-room" for the kids. The van saves maybe a gallon or two over the U.S. version. Worth it? Well, it wouldn't be for me, but again...it's all in what you decide to pay for, knowing that gasoline is going up, not down. My other friend actually downsized due to gas prices. She also bought foreign because the mileage rates were better...and the vehicle price cheaper.
I'm facing a new car purchase within the next year. I have more than $3000 banked in a GM credit card account against a new GM purchase. Will I use it? Probably, but to be honest, I really can't say for sure. I hate the idea of "buying down" on models to get the same gas consumption I could get from a foreign make that is similar. Especially since I might be able to recoup that $3000 in a year on gas consumption alone.
In the end, the government doesn't need to control U.S. car manufacturers. U.S. car manufacturers need to control themselves if they wish to stay in business.
Learn more about this author, Margaret Shauers.
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