SUV Lobby Rails Against Fuel Economy Standards

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2007 -- SUV Owners of America, the national non-profit organization representing the rights of SUV and light truck owners, is available to discuss the negative impacts of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) changes currently being debated in Congress.

With sustained high gas prices, everyone wants better fuel economy so why shouldn't policy makers tighten CAFE standards? Well, according to SUVOA, history has shown that forcing vehicle fuel economy beyond what is technologically affordable results in vehicles that are more expensive, smaller, less powerful and with reduced towing and hauling capacity. There is no "magic carburetor" that the government can force out of the closet. If there were, why wouldn't any one of the profit-driven car companies already have produced a full-sized family sedan or SUV that gets 5, 10, 20 more miles per gallon or more without these tradeoffs?

Millions of families and businesses that rely on adequately powered light trucks will be affected if CAFE standards are raised to unrealistic levels. The negative consequences are clear:

  * Higher vehicle costs that may not be recouped by savings at the pump.

  * Fewer vehicle models and vehicle option choices, meaning some consumers'
    needs may be unmet; and/or

  * Downsizing of vehicles that history has shown leads to increased
    occupant fatalities and injuries.