Detroit automakers to lobby Congress for $50 billion in loans originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While rollover resistance is improving, current vehicle roof strength regulations date back nearly 35 years. With that in mind, Congress will be taking a careful look at federal regulators as they work on upgrading the standards early next month before they unveil a final regulation at the end of July. Current standards require a vehicle under 6,000 pounds to withstand a force of 1.5 times the vehicle weight without crushing and striking the head of a belted average-size adult male. In August 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed toughening that standard to 2.5 times the vehicle weight (and adding it should cover all vehicles under 10,000 pounds). Safety advocates, however, have argued that the standard should be 3 to 3.5 times the vehicle weight.

According to the NHTSA, increasing the crush resistance to 3 times the vehicle weight would cost automakers at least $1.1 billion more that it would to meet the 2.5 standard. Automakers have shown resistance to the proposals too. They have asked for more time to comply with the toughened rules, and that some vehicles (such as the Jeep Wrangler) be exempt. They have also pointed out that increased roof strength means added weight -- counterproductive in their continued efforts to meet stringent fuel economy standards.

[Source: The Detroit News, Photo from Volvo]

Feds to release new roof-strength regs in July originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 May 2008 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The team over at SEMA, you know them as the group that supplies the automotive industry with aftermarket performance and cosmetic accessories, have asked more than 1,000 automotive enthusiasts how they intend to spend their federal tax rebate checks. Of course, we know what SEMA wants the answer to be...

Interestingly enough, most surveyed (21%) said they would use the money to pay down credit cards. Another large chunk (20%) said they'd bank the cash for now. Of those who said they'd spend the money on specialty automotive equipment, most intend to buy wheels, exhaust kits, cold air intakes, and engine performance accessories. From survey results, SEMA was able to determine most enthusiasts have altered, and delayed, buying specialty equipment due to the high cost of fuel. In fact, some of the hottest aftermarket performance parts right now are specifically designed to enhance fuel economy. We think you just found an excuse for that new CAI. Check out the press release after the jump.

[Source: SEMA]

Continue reading How do you plan to spend you tax rebate? Enthusiasts already know.

How do you plan to spend you tax rebate? Enthusiasts already know. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 May 2008 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Of all people and of all places. Normally, California is the state that launches all sorts of initiatives that drive carmakers into a frenzy. Now, The Golden State is the one asserting that the national government might need to drop a few billion large to save The Big Three -- with a few left-handed compliments to go with it, of course.

Jerry Brown, the California Attorney General, said "The American auto industry is in deep trouble and they may require subsidies. They may have to be bailed out by the federal government that has just enabled their inefficiency and their gas guzzling." It's an intriguing position, because essentially, what he's saying is that the government that has allowed American car companies to be profligate with natural resources must now bail them out because it has allowed them to be profligate with natural resources. Twelve states are suing the US government over federal fuel efficiency standards, but Brown is then asking the government to bail them out if there are drastic penalties to pay or changes necessary for those automakers to enact. Brown said "The auto companies are in such a mess, because they persistently refuse to build fuel-efficient cars, that they might find it financially impossible to do the right thing. If that proves to be the case, I think Congress has to look at ways of helping them."

The case won't be decided for some time, but the NHTSA says that is out to balance "economic practicability and technological feasibility," and that it is more concerned with energy conservation than environmental protection. At heart, while it looks like Attorney General Brown wants to do the right thing -- who's the piper, and who's really responsible to pay?

[Source: Reuters]

California AG says feds may have to bail out US automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2007 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Government investigating if Big Oil thwarting biodiesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Apr 2006 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.