While environmentally conscious motorists contentedly tool around in their charming, bubble-shaped Priuses, executives of the Toyota Motor Corp join those from the “Detroit Three” (General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Corp, and Chrysler LLC) to oppose a United States Congress bill that would impose stricter fuel economy standards on the U.S. car industry. While the Prius is currently listed as averaging 50 miles to the gallon, this new measure would require a minimum of 35-miles to the gallon for all cars manufactured later than 2020. So why the opposition?
According to environmental groups like Natural Resources Defense Council and Union of Concerned Scientists, Toyota ain’t so green. While their branding veers towards pushing the hybrid Prius, Camry and Lexus models, Toyota also competes in the large truck market with their new Toyota Tundra. Quipped Democratic Representative Edward Markey of Massachusetts, “[They’re] actually going to name the vehicle the Tundra, after the thing that’s being destroyed in Alaska.”
Another theory suggests that Toyota doesn’t want competition from American auto makers in the “green” class and is trying to block legislation that will further their fuel-efficiency research.
Contacted to explain themselves, a spokesperson for Toyota denied any sinister interest in emission standards. Instead, the company described an alternative bill that they support, which calls for a fuel-efficiency minimum of 32 miles to the gallon starting in 2022.
At this rate, Toyota will have a larger market for boats in 2022 than it will for cars of any standard.
