New US Fuel Efficiency Standards Will Favor German And Asian Brands

The Obama administration's long-awaited proposed regulation setting fuel efficiency standards at 35.5 miles per gallon by the 2016 model year will be rolled out as early as this week.

But the rules may give some automakers a competitive advantage. The regulation is expected to mirror a California provision that gives less-stringent tailpipe emissions requirements to automakers with annual U.S. sales of no more than 400,000 vehicles, mainly German and Asian manufacturers. Reducing emissions is best achieved by increasing fuel economy.

Despite grumbling from domestic automakers, the provision was part of a deal reached in the spring and will be part of the final regulation, said Jody Freeman, a top White House climate adviser, in an interview last month.


BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept Photo Gallery

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Photo Gallery

2009 Concours Weekend Photo Gallery Live!   (All photos from all Monterey shows in one gallery)
2009 Concorso Italiano Photo Gallery
2009 The Quail Event Photo Gallery