Big Three Car Companies Ask NHTSA and EPA to "Harmonize" Regulations with Europe

07/15/96

Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors told U.S. officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that they want the government agencies to reduce the regulatory barriers that exist between the U.S. and Europe.

The Big Three Carmakers addressed the agencies through their mouthpiece the American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA), of which they are the sole members. The AAMA spoke at two days of hearings that were designed to initiate public dialogue on the issue of eliminating regulatory inconsistencies across diverse regional and national boundaries.

The U.S. auto industry has joined forces with the European industry to make harmonizing the regulations between Europe and America a high priority. The AAMA said that a regulatory framework which focuses on the diverse concerns of many regions and countries conflicts with the reality of the global automotive market.

The AAMA has started the "broad public dialogue" they seek by outlining a framework for regulatory harmonization with the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The carmakers propose that their outline could provide a basis for eliminating the barriers to trade resulting from differences in vehicle regulations and certification and compliance procedures.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel