Detroit Whines That It Can't Meet Efficiency Standards - But Hits Tough Targets In EU, Asian Markets

[hatrack]

EDIT

Some critics say American automakers are hurting themselves, noting consumers are lining up to pay the full sticker price — and more — for fuel-efficient vehicles like the hybrid-electric Toyota Prius and the small Honda Fit. Further delays by Detroit will put them farther behind foreign competitors, said Joan Claybrook, a consumer advocate and former head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The technology to make a more fuel-efficient car is no secret.

Europe requires cars to get an average of 37.5 miles to the gallon. To compete there, Ford and General Motors sell a variety of small and mid-size cars and cross-over vehicles, some with diesel engines, which they don’t sell in the United States. Ford and G.M. build those vehicles in overseas plants to meet European standards. But in Europe, where gasoline prices are higher, consumers are willing to pay about 25 percent more for a fuel-efficient car.

Standards are also higher in China, both the world’s second-biggest car market and G.M.’s second-biggest market. China’s first fuel standard, 30.2 miles per gallon for the typical car, was imposed in 2005, and will be raised to 36 miles per gallon in 2008.

After years of resistance, automakers agree an increase in fuel standards is inevitable. But they want to go slow. “We want to get to a reasonable number that is doable,” said Alan R. Mullaly, Ford’s chief executive.

EDIT

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/weekinreview/10basics.html?_r=1&ref=weekinreview&oref=slogin

[tbyg52]

1. They want to keep selling their SUVs. nt

[kestrel91316]

4. Yep. But they can't force us to buy them.

Oops. Hope I didn't give the corporate fascists any ideas......

[Nihil]

2. "Standards are also higher in China"

Ouch.

Another "attaboy" for the President of the United States and his loyal
supporters in the US motor industry.

[ramapo]

3. Speechless

Reasonable...doable

I read the article the other day about the automakers whining about the proposed new standards. Their excuses are so old and so tired. Decades of excuses. When I read that the legislation should have an out should the standards be too expensive, well I just wanted to barf.

What a sad, pathetic bunch. That includes the automakers and their lackeys in Congress.

I have no doubt that we are doomed by these assholes.

[jpak]

5. K&R

Whiners indeed...

[gravity]

6. The auto market in the US is different than in other countries

The problem is that Americans like big cars. An economy car in America is like a full size car in Europe.

Americans want higher fuel economy, they just don't want to sacrifice convenience and power of our big cars, especially since gas is still relatively cheap in this country.

[Mabus]

7. Americans want larger cars because that's what the ads tell them they want

They also want fast acceleration. Why? So they can gun their engines and pass other people. It's not like I'm going to go from "zero to 60" in my neighborhood on my trip to the grocery store. The only time I worry about acceleration is when I'm on the highway. Why do the advertisers use it as a selling point? Because Americans like things that go fast.

A lot of the commercials also emphasize size with the implication that larger is better. So, of course, Americans want larger cars. It's what they are offered and told they want.

Why not have concentrate less on how fast a car can go from "zero to 60" and more attention to how smaller cars get more miles per gallon? Why show some parent picking up one kid at school in an SUV and show some commericals with some parent in a hybrid/electric car picking up several kids from the neighborhood? Or how about showing the kids biking or walking to school with the same parent and leaving the frigging vehicle in the driveway all together? Why not advertising emphasizing "small and efficient" cars?

The auto industry creates the advertising that creates the market for their cars. Now they're acting like it isn't their fault. What a lot of hooey.

[depakid]

8. Yet Dems like Dengell will continue to enable them

all the way to bankruptcy.

[GreenGreenLimaBean]

9. wake me when we're all dead

i'll rejoice when GM / Ford file chapter 7.....