Auto Industry to Testify on Fuel Bill in Washington DC

Washington DC April 26, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that automakers have one last opportunity to soften the impact of a fuel economy bill before it faces a vote in a key Senate committee next month.

According to the Detroit News, Sen. Dan Inouye, chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, agreed to hold a hearing on May 3 to give the auto industry a chance to voice objections to the bill, which would dramatically increase fuel economy standards.

The bill would raise fleet-wide average fuel economy for passenger cars and light trucks from 25 mpg to 35 mpg by 2018. The committee is scheduled to vote on the bill on May 8 -- it will be the first vote by members of Congress on legislation to boost fuel economy standards this year.

U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn) has argued that auto companies must help him craft a bill they won't like -- but can live with -- or they face the prospect of a much more expensive, punitive measure.

Toyota's North American President Jim Press met privately with Dingell on Tuesday. Dingell urged Press and the other automakers to stay unified and be part of the negotiations to craft a fuel economy bill that the auto industry can live with, an aid said.