Ford Government Affairs Chief Says: Japan's Auto Barriers Need to End

But First Snide's Remarks: At first reading this article raises lots of red flags on Japan's fairness, but on closer reading I now ask, is U.S. vehicles not meeting Japanese emission standards a discouragement or wake up call? Let me know what you think. msnide@theautoichannel.com

Washington DC December 16, 2009; The AIADA newsletter reported that Japan's decision to exclude foreign automakers from its Cash for Clunkers program is part of a broader effort by the Japanese government to discourage imports, a Ford Motor Co. executive said in a recent interview.

According to Automotive News, Ford's vice president for international governmental affairs, Stephen Biegun, said it is an attitude that the United States cannot tolerate anymore.

Ford, General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group sent a letter to U.S. trade officials last week complaining about conditions in Japan's fleet renewal program they say bar U.S. automakers from participating.

At issue is how the Japanese government sets its emission standards. Japan's standards address pollution generated at low speeds or in stop-and-go driving, and many Japanese vehicles are designed with this in mind.

U.S. and European automakers design vehicles to meet maximum efficiency at highway speeds. As a result, no U.S. vehicles qualify, and only two European-built vehicles qualify, according to The Financial Times.

A Japanese embassy official in Washington who handles auto issues has told reporters that any manufacturers who qualify can participate in Japan's clunkers program.

Click here for AIADA Chairman Russ Darrow's take on the issue.

Click here for more on Ford’s objection to Japan’s auto market barriers.