Toyota under pressure to drop opposition to US fuel economy bill
Sun 14 October 2007
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Toyota is under pressure from environmental groups to drop its opposition to a draft car fuel economy bill which has been passed by the US Senate. The company's positive 'green' reputation is under threat as a result of it joining GM, Ford and Chrysler in defying the regulatory proposals, according to the Financial Times.
Nine groups, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, the National Environmental Trust and Friends of the Earth, have asked Americans to sign a letter urging Toyota to drop its opposition to the draft bill on fuel economy standards.
The letter, addressed to Shigeru Hayakawa, President of Toyota USA, claims Toyota is joining its US rivals to deny Americans the strict fuel economy standards it already complies with in Japan.
The draft requires manufacturers to reach a fleet average of 35 mpg by 2020 - 10 mpg higher than today. But the carmakers say the target is unrealistic and would in effect limit production of pick-up trucks and other large vehicles.
Toyota and its US rivals support an alternative bill proposed in the House of Representatives that sets a goal of 32 to 35 mpg by 2022. "We believe this legislation sets a realistic and achievable deadline for all automakers to increase fuel economy standards," said Josephine Cooper, Toyota's US Head of Government Affairs.
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