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“Tired of High Gas Prices? Tough!” A Message from Your Friends at the Auto Alliance
6/1/07

We hoped that the somewhat softer tone the automakers have taken lately on fuel economy would translate into a more genuine dialogue from their main lobbyist and PR group—the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (a.k.a. the Auto Alliance). Indeed, you might remember that we asked you to get in touch with the new head of this group, Dave McCurdy, and ask that they stop their “spinning and suing” campaign against global warming standards on autos.

Well, not only is the lawsuit continuing on automotive global warming pollution, but the Auto Alliance has decided to go back to their tired old disinformation campaign in an attempt to scuttle the Senate effort to improve fuel economy standards. Yes, the same people who brought you the infamous “virtually emission-free” advertisement are now attempting to scare people into thinking that a 35 mile per gallon standard would force everyone into small, unsafe cars. You can read about it and hear their radio spots here. UCS is, of course, countering their misleading ads by clearly showing the utter and complete distortion of this campaign.

Given that the Senate fuel economy bill is currently far weaker than it should be—containing out clauses that could allow the automakers to do nothing to improve fuel economy—this ad campaign is truly reactionary.  This is especially true in the face of current gas prices, and heavy consumer sentiment in favor of higher fuel economy standards in one of the very segments of the driving public they are targeting.

Posted by: ScottN 6/1/07

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