Mandating that SUVs get 35 MPG will simply cause the auto manufacturers to make smaller SUVs
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The auto manufacturers have been playing games with the CAFE standards for years ,,, why do you think Chrysler makes the PT Cruiser and Chevy the HHR ,, they are a Neon and a Cobalt with different bodywork but they are classified as trucks , same as that C2500 is...
35mpg isn’t out of the realm of the possible... Land Rovers Discovery gets 30+ mpg in europe with a 3.0L turbodiesel and you can say the same about the ISUZU Trooper with diesel engine (sold everywhere outside the US)...
US manufacturers are FINALLY getting on the direct injection bandwagon ,,, hey it’s only been 52 years since Chevy and Pontiac V8’s were first offered with fuel injection... I remember in 1974/75 when Chevy was arguing that the then current standards were “impossible” to meet and Honda (then new to cars and just selling their fist “600” model) took up the challenge and in 4 months took a full size Chevy and created new 4 valve heads for it and took the car from 12 mpg to 20+ AND increased power by the same percentage AND met emission standards with no catalyst.
If Honda tells you it’s not possible then I’d believe it ,,, Chevy/Ford/Dodge have always just played games with the politicians ,, no interest at all in building the best most advanced cars outside of “special” products such as the Corvette.
I’m buying a diesel Accord when they become available.
I try to keep up with cars, racing etc. The last ten years have been spent increaseing horsepower not mpg. Thats not to say we haven’t been seeing increases in mpg also. But all the auto companies, domestic and foreign have been jacking up horsepower at an astonishing rate.
Automakers have also increased the size and weight of pickups in a load capacity war. Instead of just moving customers up to a higher weight class the standard 1/2 ton pickup just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
The diesel Land Rover Discovery is rated at 23 mpg combined by the UK test.
The only modern diesel sold (or was until recently) in the US is the 1.9L Volkswagen, and even that - a tiny 2800lb hatchback - barely broke 30mpg by the EPA test and as such does not comply with Congress's pipe dream.