California Assembly Caves to Auto Dealers on Clean Car Bill--Top Priority in Achieving Goals of AB 32 on Global Warming

In their attempt to kill the bill, auto dealers stooped to misleading tactics. One auto dealer, Fritz Hitchcock, President of Puente Hills Toyota in City of Industry, claimed in a letter to lawmakers that AB 493 would "penalize" disabled Californians. But in fact the bill expressly exempts persons with disabilities from having to pay any additional charges, and would have made various models that can accommodate wheelchairs less expensive.

More information about AB 493 is posted on Assemblymember Ruskin's website.

Auto interests also ran a deceptive ad in the Sacramento Bee the day before the vote.

"The automakers have a long history of whining that they can't improve their products," said David Friedman, research director for the Clean Vehicles Program at UCS. "But the National Academy of Sciences concluded that conventional technology can boost the fuel economy of all vehicles, from two-seaters to four-by-fours. They can produce 34-mpg SUVs, 37-mpg minivans and 41-mpg family cars. UCS studies concluded that the auto companies can do even better."

Passage of AB 493 would have sped up the day when you can have your automotive cake and eat it too--by getting the vehicle you want, while paying less for fuel.

Steamed over global warming? Tired of paying through the nose for gas? Want to send a message? Let your local dealership know you won't buy another car from them until they drop their opposition to AB 493.

The politicians have let us down. Now it's up to us. The auto market is softening, so even if only 10% of prospective buyers defer buying their next vehicle, it will have a huge impact.

Rosemary Shahan, President of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, is a nationally renowned consumer advocate who has won many victories for car buyers. She is best known for initiating California’s landmark auto “lemon law” and fighting for the installation of air bags in all cars. She has repeatedly testified before Congress on auto safety issues. She has received many prestigious awards from consumer groups in recognition for her work and is widely quoted by national media as an expert on auto issues. Shahan serves on numerous progressive boards, including the Consumer Federation of California, Consumer Federation of America, and is also a member of the Board of Speak Out California, where this article first appeared.