Automotive News - April 14, 2008 - (Page 20)

20 • APRIL 14, 2008 Industry lobbyists step up emissions fight Harry Stoffer hstoffer@crain.com WASHINGTON — Automakers and dealers are teaming up on a fresh lobbying effort aimed at preventing states from getting the authority to enforce their own greenhouse gas emissions rules for vehicles. Top lobbyists for groups that represent dealers, the Detroit 3 and import-brand automakers are making joint presentations to lawmakers and “anybody who will listen,” an industry spokesman said. One such presentation late last month was made by Mike Stanton, president of the Association of Inter- national Automobile Manufacturers; Shane Karr, vice president of federal government affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers; Cody Lusk, president of the American International Automobile Dealers Association; and David Regan, vice president of legislative affairs for the National Automobile Dealers Association. An objective of the campaign is defeating proposed legislation that would overturn the Bush administration’s denial of permission to states, led by California, to enforce their own greenhouse gas rules. Environmental groups question in- dustry motives. Frank O’Donnell, president of the environmental group Clean Air Watch, said he fears the industry also wants to attach a ban on state rules to comprehensive climate-change legislation before Congress. O’Donnell said he is concerned that such a ban could be a poison pill that would kill the broader measure. O’Donnell dismissed as “propaganda” an industry argument that state rules would create a chaotic patchwork of regulations across the country. An energy law enacted last December is scheduled to raise fuel economy standards 40 percent to 35 mpg by 2020. Auto industry lobbyists say the measure will reduce greenhouse gases from vehicles by 30 percent and makes their industry the only one subject to emissions limits. The state rules would require vehicles to average more than 40 mpg in the same period, California regulators say. At least 15 other states want to adopt the same requirements. The auto alliance represents the Detroit 3, Toyota and six other automakers. Stanton’s group encompasses Toyota, Honda, Nissan and 11 other automakers. AIADA and NADA together represent nearly all of the nation’s franchised new-vehicle dealers.c Bill aims to set minimum sound levels for vehicles Ryan Beene rbeene@crain.com Legislation setting a minimum sound level for vehicles sold in the United States by as early as 2010 was introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would require the secretary of transportation to lead a study to determine whether a minimum sound level is needed to protect pedestrians, specifically the blind. And if such a level is necessary, the bill would set it. U.S. Reps. Edolphus Towns, DN.Y., and Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., are sponsors of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008. The proposed legislation stemmed from concern that blind pedestrians may be put in danger because of quiet-running hybrid and electric vehicles. “The beneficial trend toward more environmentally friendly vehicles has had the unintended effect of placing the blind and other pedestrians in danger,” Towns said in a statement. “As someone who taught travel with a white cane to the blind for many years, I understand that the sound of traffic is critically important in order for them to travel safely and independently.” In March, a similar bill was passed by the Maryland Senate and House. Like the Maryland measure, the U.S. House bill would seek input from organizations representing the blind, other pedestrians and the auto industry. “This bill will prevent many injuries and fatalities while still allowing more clean vehicles on our nation’s roads,” Towns said. The bill gives automakers two years to comply with the requirements. Separately, in November 2007, the auto industry’s engineering trade group SAE International set up a subcommittee task force to study the issue. The group expects to issue findings by year end. An SAE statement says: “Even though the subcommittee’s initial focus is only on hybrid vehicles, any data collected or generated in understanding the issues could eventually include other vehicle types besides hybrids.”c http://www.automaxtraining.com http://www.leonwatch.com http://www.cnanational.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - April 14, 2008

Dealership jobs hit 8-year low GM is the wild card in axle war Service contracts: Hard-sell tactics plague dealers, customers TV auto ads shift to online, mobile venues At seminar, marketing execs to discuss new ways to reach customers Better get to know the Nano — it's set to change the world Veteran Detroit 3 dealer: 'The future is quite bleak' Poll: Dealers scrounge for cuts Locals closer to GM strike Scion xB price rises $100 Valeo CEO: No breakup Tata Nano changes low-cost development Hyundai tailors TV, Web ads for Hispanics Study: Ads focused on vehicle qualities won on Oscar night Post-Celine, Chrysler ad guru seeks right note Chrysler's quest for quality lured Nissan exec Betts Search starts for in-vehicle alcohol detectors After S. Calif. success, Honda may fund ad groups Computer images gain ground in TV ads Web TV offers automakers new ad, sales options BMW: X6 will bring brand new buyers Diana T. Kurylko Chrysler fields 'dream' ads Nissan seeks dealerships for trucks Honda will export Alabama-built Pilots to Russia Toyota, Subaru work on 'affordable' sports car Cadillac's ad agency savors the sweet life Some stores may not sell Chrysler hybrids GM hybrids get off to a slow start in first quarter Lexus adds a personal touch to pamper owners, prospects What they're buying — and what they're not The age of fuel innovation is here Approaches to r&d vary Nano brings credibility to Indian engineering Honda must revisit online dealer sales of service pacts Chrysler got it right Mandates, markets and buyer demand For Detroit, some things never change Buick: As Chicago goes, so goes the nation Auto industry has lost a good man Accentuate the positive Ex-Porsche CEO: Cayenne spiced up sales Green programs shape battle for engineering grads Tata rewards suppliers with ties to India Bill aims to set minimum sound levels for vehicles Industry lobbyists step up emissions fight Seeking wider market, Nissan equips sports car for snow New chief of SAE has D.C. skills China and GM's answer to Nano — sort of $2,500 car is Ratan Tata's personal quest NADA offers training in risky credit Donna Harris Deal's goal: Widen appeal of dent-repair coverage Title committee created Vehicle loan delinquencies rise from 2007 Suppliers to the 2009 Tata Nano Odd China combo: Fuel sippers, SUVs Pontiac Vibe: A sporty hauler with Toyota touches Dealers J.D. Power III named tracking company partner Toyota will buy back rusted Tacomas 100,000 Flex sales a year? Farley: 'Absolutely' Ford wants word-of-mouth campaign Small suppliers feel the pain of axle strike Plastech tries to sell 2 units TRW plant will build Ford gears Toyota plans 2nd India plant Dodge launch goes digital Toyota, GM recall 660,000 vehicles for window flaws Lear announces white-collar layoffs March output drops 23.6% New Ford ads tout quality improvements Tata dealers must be handy with a wrench Can the Greens slow down the autobahn? Racy scandal for race exec Echoes from the grave: Olds still has cachet The Final Say

Automotive News - April 14, 2008

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