That EPA article is really iffy.
The whole thing is based on the assumption that one configuration of the truck that doesn't hit the standards makes up 40% of F150 sales. Levine says thats wrong and the number is really 2%.
The author also claims that the CAFE standards are making the trucks too expensive and unpopular - but then goes on to say how people are willing to pay for the upgrades and that F150 sales are through the roof. And he goes on about how hard it will be to meet future standards, but then lists all the ways Ford is planning to do it.
Oh, and it actually says that Ford's stock price has taken a hit because of the Google car, lol. That alone should be enough to tell you that the author is a loon.
---------- Post added at 10:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 AM ----------
They're negotiated with the auto makers, to a large extent. I think 3/4 ton trucks and larger are exempt, or at least the standards are far more relaxed for them.
Half ton trucks are going to get more efficient and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Most people won't care, but the ones who do will just switch to 3/4 tons, and be all the happier for it.
The whole thing is based on the assumption that one configuration of the truck that doesn't hit the standards makes up 40% of F150 sales. Levine says thats wrong and the number is really 2%.
The author also claims that the CAFE standards are making the trucks too expensive and unpopular - but then goes on to say how people are willing to pay for the upgrades and that F150 sales are through the roof. And he goes on about how hard it will be to meet future standards, but then lists all the ways Ford is planning to do it.
Oh, and it actually says that Ford's stock price has taken a hit because of the Google car, lol. That alone should be enough to tell you that the author is a loon.
---------- Post added at 10:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:33 AM ----------
Wonder where the government pulls these mandate numbers for auto makers to reach, seems like out of someone's ass. Need to stay out of it as its gone too far. I thought at one time that trucks were exempt from these rulings, guess not.
They're negotiated with the auto makers, to a large extent. I think 3/4 ton trucks and larger are exempt, or at least the standards are far more relaxed for them.
Half ton trucks are going to get more efficient and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Most people won't care, but the ones who do will just switch to 3/4 tons, and be all the happier for it.