Auto Dealer Says MPG rules rollback is bad for business

Third-generation auto dealer says strong standards are needed to keep U.S. auto industry competitive

Portland, ME August 2, 2018; Adam Lee, chairman of Lee Auto Malls in Maine, where he and his partners manage 19 dealerships in eight cities across the state, issued the statement below in response to the release of the Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s plans (https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines/safer-and-affordable-fuel-efficient-vehicles-proposed) to weaken national vehicle fuel economy and emissions standards:

"Mark my words; this rollback will be bad for business."

As automakers have met the standards, manufacturers and dealers have been selling more cars and making more money than ever before. Here is my question for the President and these agencies: why are we going to change the very standards that are giving us the most advanced, most efficient and most desirable cars, trucks and SUVs we’ve ever seen?

The reality is that Fiat Chrysler, General Motors and Ford compete in a global economy. China, India, Japan, South Korea and the European Union all have higher fuel-economy standards than the U.S. The world is moving to cleaner, more efficient vehicles. You don't have to care about clean air to see that reversing on fuel efficiency would put our automakers out of step with a global market.

Do you think Honda, Nissan and Toyota are planning to make cars that are less efficient? When did America start to believe that losing our competitive edge was a good thing?

The idea that rolling back miles-per-gallon standards will be good for the U.S. auto industry is ridiculous."