The CAFE Squabble

Looks like automakers are finally starting to acquiesce to continued U.S. Congressional pressure to meet 35 mpg CAFE standards--well, at least the import automakers that are affiliated with the Assoc. of International Automobile Manufacturers. And although they have agreed to the 35 mpg target, some members (Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Hyundai, among others) are asking for an extension beyond the 2020 target date, according to a recent article in Automotive News. However, manufacturers represented by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, including the U.S. Big Three and several international manufacturers are pushing for a watered down version. They propose a separate standard for cars and trucks that averaged together would be between 32 and 35 mpg.

What's up, we say? It seems like a bunch of quibbling ... especially when relatively simple and inexpensive technologies (such as cylinder deactivation and auto shut-off) can easily improve fuel economy 15 to 20 percent. That alone is more savings than the disparity between 32 and 35 mpg. Sound like some heel dragging and excuse-making to us. What say you?

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