Posted on 03/22/2006 4:37:55 AM PST by Ellesu
In Overhaul of Mileage Rules, Regulators Consider Lifting Exemption for Large Vehicles: The Bush administration is considering subjecting the biggest vans and sport-utility vehicles to fuel-economy standards for the first time. The move would please environmentalists but put new pressure on struggling domestic auto makers, particularly General Motors Corp. The biggest SUVs, vans and pickup trucks -- those weighing between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds -- have been exempt from fuel-economy rules since they were established in the 1970s, a time when regulators didn't foresee such large vehicles being used as the family car. In 2003, the administration announced plans to overhaul the fuel standards for all so-called light trucks (which include SUVs, minivans and pickups) and said it might also impose mileage targets for the big SUVs and passenger vans. But when the proposed rule was published last August, the heavy vehicles remained exempt. (Light trucks now represent more than half of all vehicles sold.) Now the administration is considering including them beginning in 2011, according to people in the auto industry and with environmental groups who are closely watching the administration's course. The new proposal would still, however, affect only a small slice of heavy vehicles: The administration plans to continue to exempt pickup trucks, which constitute the vast majority of vehicles over 8,500 pounds. A new rule would hit GM the hardest. Four SUVs sold last year have versions that weigh more than 8,500 pounds and would be affected by a new rule. One, Ford Motor Co.'s Excursion, is no longer in production. The other three -- Hummer H2, Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL -- are GM products.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Gee, wonder if Hillary Clinton supports this?
I don't see much sense in this regulations - fuel prices will bring the same result anyhow.
Obviously, you don't see the connection to the federal cash register. The vehicles that can't meet the standards will have a tax added to the price.
One wonders why Bubba never did this, him being such a great friend to environmentalists and all. And if Hilliary would support this measure. Someone really oughta ask her.
When the big SUVs are taxed or regluated into uselessness (mpg regs, small engine, no power), look for the elites to move into the big supercab pickup trucks.
I support this move. Why exempt these huge gas guzzlers? We should also drill in ANWR.
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How did we get to the point where salvation from our problems is thought to be - bureaucracy and government regulation?
As you mention - the free market laws of supply and demand will suffice.
And this statement sums up the whole "Us" vs "Them" mentality that dominates government.
Allegedly in a free country that is for "We The People", one would think that the fact that "(Light trucks now represent more than half of all vehicles sold)" probably means that "We The People" have made a conscientious choice to purchase vehicles with notoriously inferior fuel mileage than "so-called" Econo-boxes.
Down at the dealership the sales weasels don't threaten violence on their customers if the customer is looking at Environmentalist Approved vehicles, which leads me to believe that We The People want this forbidden fruit that the Nanny State and their enablers are so desperate to keep from us.
The cynic in me wants to believe that the Fe'ral Government realizes that they are beholden to oil barons abroad and anti-American Marxist neo-luddites at home, so instead of telling these fringe yet vocal malcontents to "shove off", it is easier to victimize (yet again) the relatively pacific "We The People".
If the No Energy For America Cabal didn't have their way, and we had increased nuclear power relieving natural gas and foreign oil demand; if we didn't further restrict "compliant" coal; if we could have drilled ANWR, Florida's gulf, California - in other words, didn't interfere in the free market then we could all drive Peterbuilts if we wanted. Now by dictating to manufacturers that they must produce underpowered wind-up vehicles that get half-hearted approving nods from the perpetually disgruntled, a disenchanted SUV shopper might just as well turn away from buying that high profit margin vehicle that GM, Ford et al so desparately need to underwrite their retirees.
Regulations make liberals feel like they are doing something. Laws do the same for them. Then they can have press conferences and claim they have solved something.
Excellent line!! I just may have to appropriate it for my own use.
or one can say "...the perpetually dyspeptic.." to properly characterize those that never stop belly-aching about the world around them. :)
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