New guidelines unveiled Wednesday by the Bush administration will require an 11% improvement in fuel efficiency over four years starting in 2008. And, for the first time, some of the biggest SUVs, such as General Motors Corp.'s Hummer H2, must meet the new standards.
Environmental groups say the rules aren't tough enough; automakers say they represent a significant challenge.
But in the long run, the rules could help the SUV market by reviving sales, giving customers bigger rides that use less gas and providing hope that U.S. automakers could again count on these vehicles to consistently buoy their profits.
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