It’s been a long time since Toyota has tried to fit in the American world and now the company’s lobbyists are teaming up with the Detroit big three for overcoming the challenge of the toughest fuel economy proposal.
It comes at a time when Toyota makes maximum sale out of full size SUVs and pickups, however the company is working-up some moderate efforts towards increasing the Fuel economy. Also it is involved in a lineup of lobbing efforts, its employees are been asked to contact congressmen, it is bringing its dealers to Washington, helping in funding the advertising campaigns.
The company tries to create a healthy competition which will be persistent rather than being ruthless. Josephine Cooper vice president for the group for Govt. and Industry affairs at Toyota Motors North America explains,
We don’t want to see our competitors in any worse financial shape.
One of the basic reasons why the company is involved in array of lobbing activities is because the company has made huge investments in bringing its full sized SUVs and pickups to the main US line up.
Toyota has been making most of its money from SUVs, pickups and luxury cars rather from fuel efficient hybrids and the tougher fuel economy standards can confine its sales. The decision to lobby flanking the Detroit three dates back to the year 1998, with the auto makers forming an alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the new alliance with its ad campaign is here to plead with the policymakers rather the consumers.
Where some of the observers believe the Toyota stand with the Detroit giants, is a risky business for its green automaker image, many of the onlookers claim that Toyota stand is more or less beneficial to the auto industry. It has helped changing the reluctant attitude of the industry towards increase in fuel economy standards.
An industry backed bill which will be voted for in the house will help increasing the automakers problems by making a requirement of improving the fuel economy upto 30-40% in the coming 15 years, mandatory. The senate last month voted for raising the combined car- truck standards to 35 mpg by 2020.
Alan Reuther the UAWs legislative director quipped:
It’s important that (Toyota) is part of the coalition. It indicates the broad swath of industry that feels this way. Sometimes some people are under the misperception that, ‘Oh, it’s just Detroit that’s behind the curve.
On one hand UAW has strong differences with Toyota motors on some labor issues but it also gives a round of applause to Toyotas position on Corporate Average fuel economy legislation.
[Image: Treehugger]
[Courtesy: Autoweek]
