Carmakers claim the new standards would force production cuts and threaten the survival of weaker firms, and state that new 35mpg by 2020 CAFE standards are already enough to reduce global warming. California’s new rules would set a target of roughly 40.5mpg for most cars and some trucks by as early as 2016 – a target nearly every carmaker claims is unrealistic.
Auto industry execs don't expect one meeting to change Schwarzenegger's position. Instead they see the upcoming meeting as an opportunity to explain just how hard meeting such standards will be and at what cost to the economy, reports The Detroit News.
Schwarzenegger believes California is doing more to save the U.S. auto industry than anyone else because it is pushing carmakers to change and become more competitive. Unfortunately for the carmakers, major presidential candidates, John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama largely agree with the Governator.
Reader Comments
Tue May 6 2008 11:45 AM
Gus says
Too much pushing. You can't just force technology into existance...
Tue May 6 2008 12:55 PM
cj says
well it is there but it needs to be rolled out wide scale
Tue May 6 2008 1:09 PM
cj says
future is hydrogen
Tue May 6 2008 1:33 PM
Gus says
The future is only what people are willing to put up with.
Tue May 6 2008 1:51 PM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says
Maybe when companies start closing doors and people are out of work the politicians will realise that their dream is just that a dream.....
On the plus side my city now has is first hydrogen filling station, yet there are no cars in the Nor Cal market on sale that take that type of fuel. I believe the test maket for Honda's hydrogen car is L.A. some 500 miles south.
Tue May 6 2008 5:18 PM
Foxfire says
It's not a dream... the goal is ambitious, but not unrealistic, just as good goals should be. Mind you the technology is here (for the most part) and, despite what the companies say, is not as expensive as they would have you believe. Look at european car companies... the only ones that are going to have some trouble are the performance companies; and those will find a way by sharing their fleet average.
Tue May 6 2008 5:56 PM
Gus says
Ok, here we go again:
Basic lesson: Hydrogen has to be produced, at a high electircal cost.
Don't hold your breath...
Tue May 6 2008 7:10 PM
MyWheelsOnWalls.com says
Very true there Gus although the new station up here runs 100% from the sun. To be frank it looks like a complete eye sore to, no one in their right mind would want this in their backyard.
So its back to square one I guess or produce Hydrogen in Alaska during the summer months where it is constantly day light and ship it to the main land?
FoxFire- Not only is it a dream they dont make pipe big enough for it to fit into yet either.
Tue May 6 2008 8:24 PM
HECTOR says
On this corner an industry historically more unwilling to change course than a battleship at full speed.
On that corner... the most stupid State in the Union and its *I don't even know where I stand on the issues but I will pander to every nut* of a governor.
There's reason and fault on both side and, as always, consumers and citizens will eb the ones caught in the middle.
Fri May 9 2008 5:31 PM
NaBUru38 says
The United States is first at many things, among them media coverage and pollution levels. If they do nothing visible about car fuel consumption, nobody will (I'm inlcuding in the latter China and India).
Leave a Comment
Login or register to leave comments.
Please keep your comments on topic. Your involvement is governed by our Privacy Policy and Terms.