I wanted to pass you the following press release, http://smnr.us/35mpgby2020, that highlights the fact that it is primarily the auto industry PACs and lobbies that are torpedoing an aggressive Energy Bill and not the members of the auto industry -- the auto workers and dealers. This campaign is called the "The Auto Lobby Doesn’t Speak For Us" campaign and is based over at http://www.35mpgby2020.com.
Again, please let your readers know about the Energy Bill 2007 petition in support of this aggressive bill, http://www.energybill2007.org.
Over the course of the Energy Bill 2007 campaign we have popped you loads of info and I just wanted to present it to you all in one place: http://smnr.us/35mpgby2020, http://smnr.us/net, http://smnr.us/thespookytruth, http://smnr.us/platts, http://smnr.us/udallnm, http://smnr.us/kirk, http://smnr.us/lobbyday, http://smnr.us/cartalk, http://smnr.us/udallco -- each one of these links to a press release, assets, photos, ads, PDFs, talking points, and a whole host of Energy Bill 2007 news and updates.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Cater Communications 415-453-0430
AUTO WORKERS, DEALERS BREAK FROM INDUSTRY OVER CAFE
Urge Other Industry Members to Join Fight for 35 mpg Standard
Portland ME – Breaking ranks with their own automobile industry, Adam Lee, president of Lee Auto Malls in Maine, Gary Muenzhuber, representing Autoworkers of Minnesota, Inc, Chicago-based Chuck Frank, owner of one of the nation’s largest Chevy dealerships and Kentucky-based Karen Bowen, a former Ford executive, are part of an industry based sign-on campaign to urge passage of a 35 mile-per-gallon (mpg) fuel economy standard by 2020.
The Auto Lobby Doesn’t Speak For Us website (www.35mpgby2020.com) goes live today to enlist other maverick industry workers who believe the domestic auto makers not only can but must build more fuel-efficient cars if the industry is to survive.
“American automakers believe that when it comes to increasing fuel economy, raising the standards to 35 mpg by 2020 just can’t be done. But, as members of the American auto industry, we have designed, built and sold automobiles in this country for decades, and we know it can!”
Third generation autodealer, Adam Lee, who is leading this effort and owns eleven dealerships, makes a personal plea on the website to others whose livelihoods are dependent upon the domestic auto manufacturers. In his three-minute video clip, he says:
“My family has been selling American made cars since 1936. My livelihood and the livelihood of over 350 employees who work for us depend upon the success of the automobile industry. Today that strength is severely compromised by the lack of fuel-efficient cars and trucks customers want to buy. …
The domestic automakers need higher standards for their and my survival.
…
Without a 35 mile-per-gallon mandate, I’m afraid, global warming and our dependence on foreign oil will continue to get much worse in the long run. And, in the short run, I’m afraid I’ll be stuck with a lot full of cars that no one wants to buy or even worse: This country will no longer have an American auto industry.
So please join me, sign our letter, write your legislators, and speak up and tell them that the powerful automobile lobby does not speak for you or our industry.”
The homespun The Auto Lobby Doesn’t Speak For Us campaign includes local and state speaking engagements, blogging to recruit for the sign-on letter to House and Senate leadership, a trip to the nation’s capitol to talk with legislators and a few inside-the-beltwide newspaper ads.
Chuck Frank, president of Z Frank Chevrolet KIA, said, “It pains me to be at odds with my own industry – but the automakers do not have a good track record of embracing new technology. They have fought laws requiring seat belts, air bags, catalytic converters as well as the original fuel economy (CAFE) standard. But each law spurred Detroit to produce a better product. And each law was important for the public good.”
Gary Muenzhuber of AutoWorkers of Minnesota commented, “The technology to make our cars and trucks meet a 35 mile-per-gallon standard is on the road today. If Congress had passed this mandate a decade ago, technology would be much more advanced. If Congress had acted ten years ago, our local Ranger Plant of St Paul Minnesota would not be on chopping block today. “
Former Ford executive Karen Bowen said “Having worked as manager of engineering in Ford’s automotive fuel economy and emissions department for years, I witnessed the company oppose every change while Honda and Toyota just used their talent to make those changes happen. This opposition did not help the company one bit, yet still, they refused to change. The Senate standard is just the challenge that Ford and other American automakers need to finally unleash their considerable talent and become leaders America needs to protect our environment and our industry.”
The website provides links to National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and University of Michigan studies on the feasibility and impact of higher fuel economy standards on the auto industry. The website reads: “An increase in fuel economy standards will not only benefit the country as a whole, it will also move the industry forward, create new jobs and boost profitability.”
Others involved in the “The Auto Lobby Doesn’t Speak For Us” campaign include former auto dealer Washington State Senator Chris Marr.
i think nothing is new about this plan.
Americans have to get used to driving smaller cars just like in Europe. Most people have a small four cylinder diesel car in their garage, and that's per family.
One of the most idiotic things i have EVER read Is it such a miracle to get US cars run 35 miles to the gallon?
Thats 1 liter of petrol to 14km... Do the US carmakers need until 2020 to do that??? What a bunch of incompetent morons.
In every country other than the US are cars that already run 35 miles to the gallon. And that has been already achieved more than 30 years ago!!!
This just shows how much US carmakers, and the people who buy them, are ready to give in for the environment. Is it so hard to make cars with less cilinders and less cubic inches? It's not so hard to get a lot of power from a smaller engine. US carmakers are so proud of their big engines and lots of HP... The fact is that they have been outdone, many many many years ago, by all the other non US carmakers when it comes to fuel efficiency and HP from smaller engines in comparisson to the idiotic big cars from the US...
ROFL... What a ludicrous campagne. It clealry speaks for the intelligence of carbuilders and carbuyers...
This "35 mpg by 2020" is a fleet aveage for ALL cars and light trucks across-the-board. We have loads of cars that offer 40 and 50 mpg, but they're generally cars with 3 and 4-cylinder engines, super compact, and super-light.
But, there are also light trucks and minivans and the like. And there are cars like that in Europe as well, and around the world! So, this isn't "we can't make any cars that make it above 35 mpg" it is something much more comprehensive.
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