Automakers, UAW, and St. Louis Leaders Unite in Support of Raising Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards

ST. LOUIS (Map) - Hundreds of autoworkers, business leaders and government officials from St. Louis and surrounding counties rallied this morning at Gateway Mall in downtown St. Louis, urging federal lawmakers to protect jobs and consumer choice by supporting the bi- partisan federal legislation introduced by Representatives Baron Hill (D-IN) and Lee Terry (R-NE) to raise fuel economy in cars and trucks. Local congressional representatives from Missouri and Illinois were thanked for their support of the bill.

"The Hill-Terry bill -- H.R. 2927 -- is the sensible, viable solution for raising fuel economy standards in this country," said Congressman Russ Carnahan, from Missouri's 3rd district, who is one of the co-sponsors of the bill. "This legislation, if passed, will give consumers more miles-per-gallon without limiting vehicle choice, reduce greenhouse gasses and our reliance on foreign oil. It will also secure the thousands of auto manufacturing and related jobs in Missouri and around the country."

U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO), also calling for reasonable legislation, said, "The auto industry is a major contributor to the Missouri economy. Careful consideration will have to be taken this Fall to ensure that we protect the livelihoods of those dependent on auto manufacturing when my colleagues and I work to set tough but reasonable targets for increasing vehicle fuel economy."

The Hill-Terry bill, co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group of over 160 congressional representatives, requires increases in car and truck standards such that the total fleet falls between 32 to 35 miles-per-gallon (mpg) by model year 2022 and requires cars and trucks to be treated separately. The bill would require automakers to improve fuel economy in all sizes of vehicles -- from the smallest subcompacts to the largest SUVs and pickups -- and it would provide funding for advanced technologies, such as high-strength, lightweight materials, plug-in hybrids, clean diesel engines, and hydrogen fuel cells.

"In Missouri, over half of all new vehicles sold are light trucks -- SUVs, pickups and vans," said Chuck Kowalski, plant manager at the local Chrysler plant where the Dodge Ram Standard and Quad Cab Pickup are produced. "The fact is we need different vehicles for different tasks and lifestyles. Fortunately, the Hill-Terry bill recognizes those different tasks and lifestyles and will retain the availability of those vehicles."

Glen Kage, a representative for the United Auto Workers, explained that there are over 55,000 auto-related jobs in Missouri. Mr. Kage acknowledged local congressional representatives for co-sponsoring the Hill-Terry bill, which would protect these jobs. Missouri Representatives Todd Akin, Russ Carnahan, Jo Ann Emerson, Sam Graves and Illinois Representative John Shimkus were thanked for their support.

Dick Fleming, President and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association spoke on behalf of local businesses, many of which need full-sized vehicles to operate. "The Senate has passed a bill that's simply too extreme.... The Hill-Terry bill is a more reasoned approach." He went on to say that the bill would "achieve excellent fuel economy but it will do so while enabling the economy to continue to grow and prosper."

Mr. Fleming was referring to a Senate-passed bill that would call for a 35 mpg average -- cars and trucks combined -- by 2020. Independent studies have indicated that the Senate bill would raise vehicle prices, eliminate jobs and damage the U.S. economy. A Lehman Brothers study concluded that Ford, Chrysler and GM would have to cut production of their large pickups and SUVs by 60 percent.

Dennis Hancock, mayor of Fenton, MO, home to two Chrysler assembly plants said, "I believe this debate over fuel economy may well determine the future of the American auto industry, not just in cities like Fenton, but throughout the country." Fenton's auto plants employ over 5,000 people who build the Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Cargo Van, Dodge Ram Standard and the Ram Quad Cab.

"America is a country of industry and of great innovation," said Charlie Dooley, the Chief Executive Officer of St. Louis County. "Advances on the American auto front are occurring daily. The automakers present here today are committed to researching the developing more advanced technologies."

As evidence of recent progress to improve fuel economy, parked nearby the demonstration were several of the latest and most efficient vehicles to enter the marketplace: a Dodge Ram and a Chrysler Town and Country; a Ford flex-fuel E85-capable F-150 and a experimental flex-fuel Escape Hybrid E85; and a GM Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid. Some consumers and local businesses also parked their light trucks at the rally to underscore the need for affordable full- sized work vehicles.