Light Truck Owners Group Available to Comment on Fuel Economy Proposals in
State of the Union
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewsire/ -- Amid speculation that
President Bush may propose higher fuel economy standards in tonight's State
of the Union address and similar proposals by other regulators and elected
officials, the SUV Owners of America (SUVOA) warns that increases in the
corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards can come with unintended
consequences.
"History shows us that when the government has raised fuel economy
standards, it has forced auto manufacturers to make more unsafe smaller
vehicles in order to comply with the regulation, which puts drivers at far
greater risk of death or injury in crashes," said SUVOA President Barry
McCahill. "Thousands of lives already have been lost as a result of
previous CAFE increases, and we will lose thousands more if some of the
current proposals are enacted."
History also shows that CAFE increasingly limits consumers' options for
vehicle utility functions such as towing for recreation. In the late 1970s,
shortly after federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards took
effect, nearly 70 percent of domestic passenger car models were capable of
towing 2,100 pounds or more, about the size of an average bass fishing boat
and trailer. By 1986, because cars had been downsized dramatically to meet
ever-increasing CAFE standards, only 20 percent could tow that load. By the
mid-1990s, the percentage slipped to 12 percent, and today, only 1 percent
of domestic passenger cars can tow 2,100 pounds. And now light trucks could
face the same fate if unrealistic fuel economy mandates are adopted.
Faced with a shrinking selection of passenger cars with sufficient
towing power, America's outdoor enthusiasts have turned to light trucks for
recreation. Light trucks have become workhorses for families heading out on
vacations, towing trailers and hauling clothes, mountain bikes, skis,
fishing and camping equipment, and other outdoor gear. If they tried to do
that in high-miles-per-gallon compacts, the better decision probably would
be to stay home and add to the pattern of physical inactivity and the
obesity epidemic it has spawned. Further information on this issue is
available in a towing guide developed by SUVOA and posted on
http://www.suvoa.com.
SUVOA recognizes that achieving better fuel economy and energy
independence are critical national imperatives, but calls for thoughtful,
balanced measures that do not compromise safety and vehicle choice.
Representatives of SUVOA are available for interviews in stories about any
fuel economy-related announcements in the State of the Union and other
proposals to increase CAFE standards.
SOURCE SUV Owners of America
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Related links:
http://www.suvoa.com
CONTACT:
Ron DeFore of SUVOA, +1-877-44-SUVOA
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