IRV'S SHEET: Working Toward a New CAFE Standard

We’ve reported here from time to time on the progress in Washington toward Toyota’s most important legislative priority this year – passage of new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Since January, we have urged the Congress to pass a CAFE bill this year. And we have cooperated with other U.S. automakers to come to an agreement on a national plan that the entire industry could work toward.

All that effort culminated Thursday, Dec. 6, when the U.S. House of Representatives approved an energy bill that contains new CAFE provisions.  The bill passed by a vote of 235 -- 181.  These CAFE provisions are a major step forward that, once signed into law, will result in significant oil savings and reductions in CO2 emissions.

Under this agreement, the fuel economy of the entire new vehicle fleet will achieve 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020. This represents a 40% fuel economy increase over today’s fleet.

Toyota has urged Congress to pass CAFE reform this year in part because all automakers, including Toyota, need the certainty of one national fuel-standard plan to be able to make the additional investments necessary to advance fuel economy. More important, we believe that it’s the right thing to do.

On behalf of Toyota, I want to acknowledge the efforts of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Dingell, chairman of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, and all the members of the U.S. House of Representatives who provided leadership for this week’s historic vote on CAFE. Indeed, Speaker Pelosi noted "This vote on this bill is a shot heard round the world for energy independence." 

Now the legislation moves on to the United States Senate. Watch this blog for additional reports on CAFE action in Washington.

~ Contributed by Irv Miller, Group Vice President, Corporate Communications

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Comments

[Bart]

Hey pal, I've got a new standard for you to shoot for...catalytic converter theft prevention.

Get some folks on finding a solution for this ever-growing problem.

[Shannon]

Are the new Toyotathon commercials about insurance fraud to get a new car?

[tom S]

I think the recent Toyotathon commercials are in very poor taste and other than encourage insurance fraud they depict a throw=away society that encourages waste. Why not depict these persons who have to have a new car , giving their old one to a caritible agency rather than thoughtlessly , destroying an apparently fit vehicle??

[Robert]

Absolutely, the Toyota TV spots are subtly encouraging Insurance Fraud. Why else would an owner destroy totally their current vehicle so they could purchase a new Toyota? The ads show customers in a premeditated fashion planning the destruction and then gleefully imagine their new car. There would be no need to destroy the current car, they have value, to buy the new car if were not for insurance money. Toyota needs to be challenged on this.

[Larry]

I am very disappointed in Toyota's response to keeping these ads running. The depiction of people committing insurance fraud institutionalizes these acts and by implication condones criminal behaviour. The price of a new Toyota should not include the higher cost of insurance driven by the climbing rates of insurance fraud. I for one do not approve of Toyota's advertizing campaign adding higher costs to my life!

[PJ Leible]

While I applaud everyone's efforts, 35 mpg by 2020 is not good enough.

I purchased my first new car in 1988 (a 1988 Toyota Corrolla hatchback.) It had a standard transmission and got 38 mpg. I loved that car.

All you need to do is pull the plans off the shelve from 20 years ago. Better yet, why not build some all electric cars for which all the technology (batteries included) is available today.

Why are we waiting until 2020????

[Gabriel]

I think they should bring back the supra twin turbo.

[Tom]

You calling people who drive pickups, Truckers is insulting to those of us who drive or used to drive 18 wheelers, how can 10,000 pounds even rate against 80,000 to 105,000 pounds? Pickups drivers are pickup drivers, to be a Trucker requires a Class A Commercial Drivers License.

[Hayhurst]

I 2nd Gabriel, bring back the supra, turbos=power and fuel efficiency, while out of boost. But a v8 with a hybrid kinda contradicts itself(ft-hs concept i believe)