Tell Nissan and Hyundai to say no to the Auto Alliance for better hybrids

[GreenPartyVoter]

What's At Stake:
Automakers Nissan and Hyundai are poised to enter the hybrid market in 2006 with the introduction of the Altima hybrid and Accent hybrid models, respectively. The Altima hybrid is going to be built in Smyrna, Tennessee, marking the first foreign company to produce a hybrid vehicle domestically. Hyundai is rumored to be offering its Accent Hybrid at a lower retail price than the current options on the market, thereby expanding the potential buying pool, and interest, in hybrid vehicles.

The scramble of manufacturers to enter and expand their presence in the hybrid market shows how seriously they take the business benefits of establishing a “green reputation” for their automobiles. Those companies working to establish such a reputation, such as Nissan and Hyundai, should not associate with groups that stand for just the opposite.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, (a.k.a. the Auto Alliance) lobbyists representing most of the major automobile manufacturers, is just such a group. It has a long legacy of lobbying at the state and federal level to prevent any significant movement forward on auto emissions, fuel economy, and safety improvements. Lately, it has been spending a tremendous amount of money first attempting to defeat, then suing to stop, California’s landmark regulations on global warming pollution from autos. The Auto Alliance led unsuccessful efforts in Washington State to block its adoption of higher auto emission standards, and have recently descended upon Oregon in an attempt to derail an auto emissions strategy that would encompass the entire West Coast. More...

http://ucsaction.org/campaign/7_05_nissan_hyundai

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. kick

[seaglass]

2. Will the Auto Alliance prevent Nissan and Hyundai from

producing hybrids?

I am a long time loyal Nissan customer, I'm on my 4th Nissan. I am looking to lease a new one within the next few months and I'm thrilled to hear they are coming out with a hybrid Altima (I have an Altima now).

If the Auto Alliance is affiliating with Nissan and Hyundai and those two companies are producing hybrids, how can one say that the Auto Alliance is against fuel economy? This doesn't make any sense to me. Won't the Auto Alliance have to represent what their members want? Won't the members need to do what consumers want?

Wouldn't it make more sense for members to be added to the Auto Alliance who might impact their legislative agenda?

I don't have a problem writing to Nissan but help me out here, I'm not totally getting it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Reread the 3rd paragraph about the AA lobbying history.

[seaglass]

4. Well obviously the carmakers are learning that consumers want

better fuel economy - thus hybrids - so why is it not past history? Did you read what I wrote? Why wouldn't having members that are responsive to consumers wishes (as Nissan and Hyundai appear to be) change the dynamic? Doesn't the Auto Ailliance have to represent its members?

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Big oil is a big part of the carmakers. You get better fuel efficiency

in a car, Big Oil loses $. Sounds to me like the Auto Alliance would rather kowtow to big oil than work for what consumers _really_ want.