18 Automakers Join To Urge Trump To Repeal Obama's Landmark Fuel Standards

Sorry - but it still was Richard Nixon - a model Republican President - who started the EPA and the standards are NOT Obama standards - they are EPA standards - AND At the time - these new standards were signed off on by the heads of the manufacturers. They were given lots of input into the standards. (The footprint between the wheels to define size was a joint Ford/GM idea)

What actually happened - two things changed the world
1 - The USA found enough oil to become energy independent - even if they do not yet harvest all of it.
2 - The world oil market collapsed on itself - cutting the oil prices in half (Funny - no one gives Obama credit for that one just because it happened in is administration and probably caused the economic recovery in the USA)

With Gas prices nearly half the price now - people stopped buying small cars, hybrids, and diesels in the USA - and started buying less efficient Trucks and SUVs over cars. As a result - the market changes require a re-look at the standards. In Europe and Asia - in countries where they have little oil of their own (And some do like England)- gas prices stayed high due to high taxes on Gasoline - which is why Diesels sell much better in Europe. In japan - because of lack of space - and lack of domestic energy production - really small cars - 660cc engines - account for 40% of cars sold. And with the loss of domestic Atomic Electricity production - use of natural gas is also going up - so prices there are astronomical.

And then, the next time US automakers can't compete against foreign brands, they'll beg the feds to pile on more tariffs on the competition to "level the playing field," not realizing that fuel efficiency (i.e., the lack of their own) is often a factor in a car purchase.

We saw this in the 1970s with The Energy Crisis, where buyers flocked to more fuel efficient Asian models. We're arguably seeing this now, as we note that non-American brands often give you a bigger bang for the buck and better fuel economy than buying American, and The Prez is threatening tariffs on the competition.

Nope. Not my fault. Let me do what I want (e.g., don't make me be more fuel efficient), but don't hold me accountable for what I do.

THe problem with that complaint is that most of the people here are against the idea of the government interfering with the free trade of the people. SO- theu do not want governments to specify how the cars should be made.

If these standards in California and Europe along with specialized high gas taxes in Europe that brought the better mileage smaller cars to market are relaxed - next time no one will survive,

TomM wrote "...SO- [they] do not want governments to specify how the cars should be made..."

Sounds good to me. Government -- DON'T regulate my auto-making business! Keep your friggin' hands off!

Just some questions:
- Does this apply to foreign brands, too?
- Does that mean emission laws should go away, and VW is fine as they are?
- Does than mean the Government should also not subsidize any part of the auto industry
- Or bail it out domestic automakers when they go bankrupt?

Please note my questions are NOT intended as a slam, or even as an argument against free-enterprise, unencumbered by regulations. I'm just challenging folks who might want it both ways: Don't regulate me, but do pump piles of taxpayer dollars into me.

Companies band together to lobby the gov't to loosen the regulations they are subject to, nothing new in the new swamp.

Mandating high fuel mileage is good for our national security. The early 1970's are a perfect example of a time when foreign powers were able to bring the USA to its knees with gas lines, empty stations, and long lines of cars waiting for a few gallons. We now have the chance to decrease our reliance even further with new technologies like solar electric and fuel cell that are created directly from government funding and regulations, economy standards, emissions, etc. Let's keep the fuel economy standards high and protect our national security.

rockreid - history and facts are all fake news now.

CAFE is bad for business. 25mpg is fine. Let the market decide freely.

I agree, keep making them be cleaner but I don't care if a car gets 1mpg as long as it is not dumping a lot of pollution out the tail pipe.

I understand your reply - People are not consistent in what they want from the government. THey complain that the government interferes with the business sector when they set regulation - BUT when the Banks cause an economic collapse due to relaxed regulations -they blame the government.

People complain about the gas mileage standards - but you rarely see them complaining about the money spent to meet CRASH standards - or add safety items like Anti-lock brakes - going back to Tempered Glass requirements.

The fact is - with oil prices low - the only way people would themselves demand better mileage would be if the government slapped a HUGE tax on gas as they have in Europe. But then - that would result in TWO payments by the people - One to pay the tax - and then another to increase the mileage.

While I am not against TAXING cars that get really low mileage for not meeting standards - I believe that they should be allowed to be produced. A Rolls Royce owner can afford a few thousand more for their inefficiency. And I do believe that current technology is having a hard time affordably reaching the 55 mpg and that could be reduced a little. But I see the plus of having to NOT BUY mid-eastern oil as a great reason for requiring higher mileage.

the only whining I hear are... oh there are too much regulations, we can't possibly compete when there are so many regulations. The air is too clean, we can't possibly allow our children to breathe cleaner air than we can. Yeah shut the hell up. If you can't handle regulations and compete internationally, maybe you shouldn't be in the business.