Autoblog

Auto industry pays $135 billion in taxes annually

Chris Shunk — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials

How important is the auto industry to state and federal governments? According to the Center for Automotive Research, the industry accounts for $135 billion in annual taxes. In fact, a reported 13 percent of all state taxes comes from the automobile, or $91.5 billion in total.

Just as impressive is the overall money that Americans pour into their four-wheeled transportation. CAR estimates that auto sales come in at $564 billion, and parts, repairs and other services add in another $173 billion. And those are the staggering numbers generated in an auto market of only 12 million units per year. So far, 2012 auto sales appear to be moving closer to 14 million units, which should help push the $735 billion total closer to the $1 trillion mark.

The income generated by cars and trucks is certainly significant, but a good portion of that income goes toward new roads. Of the $43 billion that ends up in federal coffers, $29 billion comes from fuel taxes. On the state level, two-thirds of the $91.5 billion comes from taxes on fuel. Still, that amounts to 10 percent of California's overall revenue and a knee-wobbling 23 percent of revenue in Oklahoma.

Auto jobs also contribute serious coin to Uncle Sam, with Michigan leading the way. Uncle Sam took in $2.2 billion from The Mitten State, followed by Ohio and California. Hit the jump to read the CAR press release.

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Auto industry pays $135 billion in taxes annually originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Illinois considers letting bikers ride through red lights [w/poll]

Noah Joseph — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Motorcycle

If you've ever ridden on two wheels, the following scenario might sound familiar: You pull up to a red light on your motorbike, scooter, bicycle, what-have-you, and you wait for it to change. And you wait, and wait and wait. The problem is likely that your wheels haven't triggered the sensor embedded in the pavement. So what do you do? Sit and wait some more, knowing that the light won't change? Or go through the red light and risk getting a ticket?

Well, a law under consideration in the state of Illinois could rectify the problem. While some municipalities are working at installing other types of sensors to accommodate two-wheelers, the state legislature is also debating a bill that would allow riders to simply go through the red light in question.

The proposal has been amended to include only cities with less than two million inhabitants, and appears to leave the matter of how long is a "reasonable" amount of time to have waited at the light before proceeding up to interpretation. Of course, traffic conditions would have to allow it as well, but as far as the law's concerned, well... that could be about to change for bikers in the Prairie State.

So what do you think - good idea or bad idea? Cast your vote in the poll below.

View Poll

Illinois considers letting bikers ride through red lights [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EPA under Obama will revisit state emission laws

Michael Harley — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST

The decision on whether or not to allow states to enforce limits on vehicle greenhouse gas emissions is moving back to center stage under the incoming Obama administration. Lisa Jackson, the President-elect's nominee for EPA administrator, has promised to "immediately revisit" the issue once she is confirmed for the office.

During his election campaign, Obama promised he would allow states to each dictate their own rules towards greenhouse emissions. This puts the administration at odds with the automakers, which argue that it's a federal responsibility (along the same lines as regulating fuel economy). Most in the industry feel that having state-mandated greenhouse gas limits would add unnecessary costs to vehicles, and create problems for dealers located near state lines. The states, however, want the right to impose their own regulations. We've been watching this exhausting cage match for years, and the conflict doesn't show any signs of waning.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

EPA under Obama will revisit state emission laws originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix announcement may come Feb1

Noah Joseph — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

Looks like the oil-rich sheiks of Abu Dhabi are getting more serious about the prospect of hosting a Formula One grand prix than we thought. Last week we reported that they're adding an FIA-regulation race track to the Yas Island project that will also host the Ferrari World theme park, and with big question marks rounding off the one main restriction, they could be planning on hosting a grand prix very soon.

Word is there will be an event on February 1st where an official announcement may be made. If it happens, expect some teams and cars to be in attendance, along with the sport's most irresistible force, McLaren's newest driver, the inimitable Fernando Alonso.

[Source: Grandprix.com]

Continue reading Update: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix announcement may come Feb1

Update: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix announcement may come Feb1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Government investigating if Big Oil thwarting biodiesel

Joel Arellano — Sat, 08 Apr 2006 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Etc., Government/Legal, Green

This week, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and the state's two U.S. senators, Richard Durbin and Barack Obama, sent letters to the heads of the six major oil companies as part of an investigation to see if they have any policies that are inhibiting construction and operation of biodiesel and ethanol pumps at fuel service stations. The state is the biggest user of ethanol and the country's second largest producer of the alternative fuel. However, only three of the 108 service stations selling E-85 (gasoline mixed with 85 percent ethanol), are franchises branded by the oil companies.

Also, U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman has indicated he will speaks with the oil companies, though he plans to discuss their policies on promoting alternative fuels. The oil companies in question? BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, Shell Oil Co., and Valero Energy.

[Source: Reuters]

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.

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