Obama to propose better fuel efficiency
May 19, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
Even though the threat of $2.0 a litre for a petrol seems to have subsided, U. President Barack Obama, who is currently responsible for keeping some US manufacturers in business, will propose the biggest increase in US fuel efficiency in the countries history.
The new policy would also directly regulate emissions for the first time. Obama intends to force all manufacturers to produce passenger cars and light trucks that are capable of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2012-16, equal to 6.625L/100km in real terms. Not exactly a hard figure to achieve, you would think?
The US government believes the restrictions would save at least 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program. Interestingly, General Motors is supporting the plan. However we believe it’s because GM needs all the government support they can get.
Toyota also supports the plan, given the majority of its cars already meet the standards.
“GM and the auto industry benefit by having more consistency and certainty to guide our product plans,” GM CEO Fritz Henderson said in a statement.
The Bush administration’s plan was to achieve similar figures but by 2020. The new plan is expected to add around US$600 to the price of producing a vehicle.
In order to help the industry the US Congress is considering legislation that would give new car buyers as much as Us$4500 to trade in older, less fuel-efficient models for hybrid or ultra efficient vehicles.
Do you believe this is the right move to produce more fuel efficient cars?
Print it: 
Considering the history of american cars that is a big ask…
“Obama to propose better fuel efficiency” – I wonder what sort of milage his ghastly stretched Cadillac gets? Knowing how “advanced” American engines are it probably uses about 30-40 litres per 100kms. Maybe he should set an example and lose the Cadillac? I know it has a lot to do with the car being American but perhaps he should check out the 730d?
you would think most big companies have a car capable of that anyways…
Japanese and Italians have been doing this for decades, funny now how rednecks think its cool cause mainstream says so.
I love the initiative Obama is showing. He is clearly passionate about the American car industry and he wants it to be the best in the world. These are steps they need to take to stay alive, let alone be competitive.
Alex, you should love this
http://cyanatrendland.com/2009.....illac-one/
Turns out it IS a diesel. Maybe the fuel consumption has more to do with the 8 inch armour plating,,,?
No offense to Obama, but I read this as simply bringing forward legislation that is already in place. Not a bad thing but not much to crow about. Probably correct on the assumption of GM being vocal in support, but both GM and (more so) Ford are well on their way to achieving these standards anyway. The only part of their fleets that don’t correspond are (in Fords & Americas case) the number one sellers, Sport trucks!!
Obama ghastly stretched Cadillac is a tank on wheels Bullet proof, fire proof and small explosive proof, I’m pretty sure these defensive features don’t help with fuel efficacy much, On a similar topic the US military is looking at making there vehicles more fuel efficient .. I wonder what will come off a hummer to make it suck less juice.. some Plat armor! maybe the Mounted gun! .. hmm why not just have the US troops drive around in Toyota Yaris on the streets of Baghdad and Afghanistan!
Problem solved done and dusted! GO US Of A, we like your style and how you go about doing thing! :)
Dito “High Horser,” adding to that small 30-year-old German and French cars are also efficient to easerly transport their European butts from A to B without taking with them a large unused void space in their cars and causing large amounts of ice to melt.