New fuel economy rules issued to auto industry

Under the CAFE system, automakers now must meet an average of 21.6 mpg for their 2006 model year light trucks. That average will rise to 22.2 mpg for 2007 vehicles.

Under the new rules, the fleetwide average would reach 24 mpg by 2011, when the largest SUVs will be included in the calculation. The program will be phased in through 2010, with automakers having the option of complying under the old system or using new system.

If automakers use the old system, the targets would be 22.5 mpg in 2008, 23.1 mpg in 2009 and 23.5 mpg in 2010. All manufacturers would need to use the new system in 2011.

The new rule would call for specific fuel economy standards for all light trucks based on the vehicle’s wheelbase and track width.

Mineta said the new rules would help close loopholes automakers used in the past to meet the standards and level the playing field for automakers.

Automakers have noted that the final plan will likely mean seven straight years of higher fuel economy requirements for light trucks. The industry has fought previous attempts to raise the standards but has expressed support for the proposal’s direction.

Ford spokesman Ed Lewis said it would be “technically challenging” but would “move automakers toward a more level playing field because it recognizes the differences between full-line manufacturers and those who only produce small trucks.”

GM spokeswoman Sherrie Childers-Arb said her company looked forward to “carefully reviewing” the new rules.

Reaction in Congress was mixed.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said it “missed an opportunity to break our nation’s addiction to oil, reduce our greenhouse gases, and decrease the price of gas at the pump.”

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., a longtime advocate of the auto industry, said, “At first glance it appears to be a challenging standard for the industry that I hope it will be able to achieve.”

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