EPA Releases Fuel Economy Ratings for 1998 Models; President Clinton Ponders, 'Who Will Buy This Stuff?'
17 October 1997
EPA Releases Fuel Economy Ratings for 1998 Models; President Clinton Ponders, 'Who Will Buy This Stuff?'WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 -- The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new survey of gas mileage ratings for Model Year 1998 (MY98) vehicles shows once again that there are plenty of very fuel-efficient cars for sale but few Americans are buying them. Even President Clinton, at the recent White House Conference on Global Warming quipped, "Who will buy this stuff?" referring to ultra fuel-efficient cars that are being developed by a partnership of US auto makers and the federal government. "That's a good question Mr. President, considering that the top ten most fuel-efficient cars on EPA's list represent only seven tenths of one percent of all new car sales," said Diane Steed, president of the Coalition for Vehicle Choice (CVC). "We compared sales data with EPA's Top Ten list for the current model year and it is clear that consumer interest in fuel economy is declining." The pending United Nations global climate agreement, supported by the Clinton Administration but opposed by many members of Congress, business, labor, agriculture, seniors, and consumer groups, would require substantial cutbacks in U.S. energy use and higher energy prices. Even though U.S. cars and light trucks already are highly fuel-efficient, the climate agreement would pressure regulators to increase federal fuel economy requirements, forcing dangerous downsizing of new vehicles. "Consumers today can choose among a broad range of cars and trucks to find a vehicle that best meets their individual needs," said Steed. "That's what personal mobility and freedom to travel are all about, but some lobbying groups and government officials want to curb these freedoms." The new figures released by the EPA show hundreds of models available to meet the different demands of American motorists. Those include subcompact vehicles (with very high fuel economy ratings); full-size cars and trucks (with relatively lower mileage ratings), and everything in between. While EPA press releases stress the benefits of fuel savings, there is no mention of the tradeoffs between fuel economy and other important vehicle characteristics such as safety, durability, and utility. EPA's "top 10 most fuel-efficient vehicles" tend to be: * very small in size ("subcompact"); * very lightweight and low-powered (small 3- or 4-cyl. engine); and * lacking in popular options (automatic transmission, air conditioning, power doors and locks). Those factors help to improve fuel economy ratings. But some of them also result in less protection for occupants, as proven by studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and other respected researchers. The ultra fuel-efficient vehicles also provide less seating, hauling and towing capacity, and reduced comfort and performance. "Most consumers want cars and trucks that combine safety, comfort and utility," said Steed. "And the sales data demonstrate that small, fuel- efficient vehicles lacking in sought-after attributes have very limited consumer appeal. EPA's list of recommended cars and trucks may be the 'top ten' in mileage, but they're at the bottom in terms of consumer appeal." "The most recent sales data available -- MY97 -- show EPA's top ten most fuel-efficient cars represent about 0.7 percent (seven tenths of one percent) of passenger car sales and only a 0.4 percent of all vehicle sales. Sales of the most fuel-efficient vehicles have been declining over the last several years and this is the third model year in a row that sales of these ultra fuel-efficient cars were below 1% of passenger cars sold," Steed said. EPA's MY97 top ten light trucks also are declining in popularity, representing only 2 percent of light truck sales and only 1.0 percent of all vehicle sales. (See attached lists of EPA MY97 Top Ten Most Fuel Efficient Vehicles and corresponding sales data.) While small, highly fuel-efficient subcompacts have been widely publicized and are available in dealer showrooms, consumers have shown little interest in buying those vehicles. For example, Geo Metro sales are down 38 percent, Geo Tracker sales are down 27 percent, and although the Golf diesel was ranked second on EPA's MY97 top ten list, Volkswagen reports zero sales of that model in the U.S. Compact vehicles may save a little money at the gas pump, but not enough to offset the loss of other desired vehicle attributes in the minds of most consumers especially personal safety. "New-car gas mileage has doubled since the mid-1970's, which makes all vehicles more efficient than ever. Gasoline prices are at all-time lows and account for only 10 percent of the cost of owning and operating a vehicle," Steed said. Steed also commended Congress for its recent decision to "freeze" fuel- economy standards for another year, which will help to preserve vehicle choice and public safety. She urged Congress to oppose any climate agreement similar to the Administration's current proposal, which would require severe cutbacks in energy use and travel in the U.S. while exempting more than 100 "developing" countries like China, India, and Mexico from any controls. The Coalition for Vehicle Choice is a non-profit organization representing more than 40,000 member groups and individuals working to preserve Americans' access to safe and affordable cars and light trucks capable of meeting diverse personal and professional transportation needs. CVC's members include automotive, insurance, consumer, farm, construction, recreation, law enforcement, seniors and safety organizations. A copy of this release is available on CVC's website at http://www.vehiclechoice.org, along with related information on fuel economy and climate policy. Model Year 1997 EPA Top Ten Most Fuel Efficient Passenger Cars Make/ Engine Description Trans. City Hwy '97 Model Year Model Size/Cylinders MPG MPG Unit Sales (unadj.) (unadj.) thru 9/97 GEO Shift Indicator light Metro 1.0 liter (61 CID)/3 M5 44 49 10,300 Volkswagen Turbo Diesel Golf/GTI 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 M5 40 49 0 Volkswagen Turbo Diesel Jetta 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 M5 40 49 889 GEO Shift Indicator Light Metro 1.3 liter (79 CID)/4 M5 39 43 3,352 Suzuki Shift Indicator Light Swift 1.3 liter (79 CID)/4 M5 39 43 604 Volkswagen Turbo Diesel Passat 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 M5 38 47 2215 Volkswagen Passat Wagon 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 M5 38 47 84 Honda Shift Indicator light 10,000** Civic 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 M5 37 44 (estimated) Ford Aspire 1.9 liter (79 CID)/4 M5 34 42 29,285 Honda Included in Civic 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 M5 34 38 Civic total above Total 56,729 **Sales estimates. Sales figures not available for Honda Civic's with these configurations. Based on MY96 sales, it is estimated that both Honda models represent less than 10,000 units sold. MY97 cars sold through 9/30/97: 8,124,921 MY97 "TOP 10 Cars" sold through 9/30/97: 56,729 MY97 "TOP 10 Cars" sold as % of all car sales: 0.7% MY97 "TOP 10 Cars" sold as % of all vehicle sales: 0.4% Model Year 1997 EPA Top Ten Most Fuel Efficient Light Trucks Make Engine Trans. City Hwy '97 Model Year Model/2 wheel/ Description MPG MPG Unit Sales Thru 9/97 4 Wheel Drive Size/Cylinders (unadj.) unadj. Toyota 2.0 liter (122 M5 24 28 20,184 RAV-4-2WD CID)/4 GEO 1.6 liter (97 M5 24 26 4,563 Tracker CID)/4 Convertible 2WD GEO 1.6 liter (97 M5 24 26 5,375 Tracker CID)/4 Convertible 4X4 GEO 1.6 liter (97 M5 24 26 639 Tracker CID)/4 Van 2-WD GEO Tracker 1.6 liter (97 M5 24 26 2,190 Van 4X4 CID)/4 Isuzu Shift M5 23 30 9,491 Hombre Indicator Pickup 2WD Light (134 CID)/4 GMC Shift M5 23 30 38,689 Sonoma-2WD Indicator Light 2.2 liter (134 CID)/4 Chevrolet Shift M5 23 30 48,470 S10 Pickup Indicator 2WD Light 2.2 liter (134 CID)/4 Toyota 2.4 liter M5 23 29 37,319 Tacoma (149 CID)/4 2WD Toyota 2.0 liter (122 M5 23 28 *included in Toyota RAV4-2WD CID)/4 total above Total 150,088 MY97 Light Trucks sold through 9/30/97: 6,789,500 MY97 "TOP 10 Light Trucks" sold through 9/30/97: 150,088 MY97 "TOP 10 Light Trucks" sold as % of all light truck sales: 2% MY97 "TOP 10 Light Trucks" sold as % of all vehicle sales: 1% SOURCE Coalition for Vehicle Choice