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Alliance Adds 10th Automaker With Fiat Membership

13 May 1999

Alliance Adds 10th Automaker With Fiat Membership

    WASHINGTON, May 12 -- The Alliance of Automobile
Manufacturers today approved Fiat as a new member at its inaugural board
meeting.  Ten automakers have now joined the Alliance.
    "We formed the Alliance in January 1999 to serve as the voice of the
automobile industry in America on safety and environmental issues," said Peter
Pestillo, vice chairman of Ford Motor Company and Chairman of the Alliance.
"I am very pleased at the quick start of this association.  In four months,
the Alliance has hired a new president, expanded the membership, and moved
decisively to address these issues with federal officials.  We're pleased with
the progress."
    During today's meeting, the Board heard from Dr. Ricardo Martinez,
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and
Margo Oge, Director, Office of Mobile Sources, Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA).  Following the meeting, members of the Board met with leaders from the
U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.  During these sessions, members
of the auto industry discussed the environmental and safety priorities of the
newly formed Alliance, with special focus on its work with NHTSA on advanced
technology air bags and with EPA on proposed tailpipe standards and reduced
sulfur gasoline.
    "The Alliance is dedicated to working with government and other
stakeholders to develop constructive approaches to public policy matters.
Inviting NHTSA and EPA to attend the inaugural Board meeting was an important
commitment to improving motor vehicle safety and environmental progress," said
Josephine Cooper, President of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
    In March, the Alliance proposed to EPA reductions in nitrogen oxide
emissions for cars, sport utility vehicles and light trucks, along with
reduced sulfur content in fuel.  The Alliance proposal mirrored many of the
provisions of EPA's proposed "Tier II" standards announced on May 1.
    In other Board action, Fiat was approved as an associate member.  Fiat
represents the 10th member of the Alliance.  Other member companies are BMW,
DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen and
Volvo.
    The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a coalition of car and light
truck manufacturers.  The Alliance is dedicated to improving vehicle safety
and environmental progress.  Alliance member companies have more than 642,000
employees in the United States, with 255 manufacturing facilities in 33
states.  Alliance members represent more than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle
sales.