International Automakers Renew Commitment to Support National Greenhouse Gas/Fuel Economy Program

ARLINGTON, Va., May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The auto industry met at the White House today to announce their continued support of a single national policy to increase fuel efficiency and decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution from motor vehicles for the next 15 years.  The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) commended President Obama's leadership and commitment to a process that will continue the program through 2025.

"AIAM members strongly support and are aggressively pursuing innovative ways to reduce CO2 emissions to protect the environment and lessen the nation's reliance on fossil fuels," said Michael J. Stanton, President and CEO of AIAM.  "Building on the model developed in last year's historic agreement, today's commitment creates a path to greater future progress.  We are able to advance our goal by providing manufacturers the lead-time to design and build the type of advanced technology vehicles needed while continuing to provide consumers with a full range of vehicle choices."

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) finalized federal harmonized GHG emissions and fuel economy standards for motor vehicles for model years 2012 – 2016.  EPA estimates this program will reduce GHG emissions by 960 million metric tons and save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold during this period.  The renewed commitments among the stakeholders to work collaboratively on the next phase of the national program will cover the 2017 to 2025 model years.

AIAM and its members have long recognized the importance of addressing climate change and have supported efforts by public officials to require meaningful reductions in GHG emissions from automobiles and light trucks.  AIAM members have been industry leaders in the effort to improve fuel efficiency of the vehicles they sell while reducing environmental degradation.  Seven of the top ten models on EPA's 2010 Fuel Economy Leaders list are manufactured by AIAM members, and the Association's members were responsible for 83 percent of all hybrid vehicles sold in the U.S. market in 2009.

About AIAM – The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, Inc. (AIAM) is a trade association representing 15 international motor vehicle manufacturers who account for 40 percent of all passenger cars and light trucks sold annually in the United States. AIAM provides members with information, analysis and advocacy on a wide variety of legislative and regulatory issues impacting the auto sector. The Association is dedicated to the promotion of free trade and to policies that enhance motor vehicle safety and the protection of the environment. For more information, visit our website at www.aiam.org.

SOURCE Association of International Automobile Manufacturers