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Urge Ford Motor Company to Stay Green in the Energy Debate
Let's Urge Ford Motor Company to Support an Increase in Vehicle Fuel Economy and Close the Loophole for SUVs. We Need to Tell Them What We -- the Consumers -- Want.
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Subject: Guide Our Nation to Energy Independence
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I write to you as a concerned consumer and citizen. First, let me thank you for your past efforts to reduce oil consumption. You showed courage in supporting a gasoline tax, integrity in choosing to leave the Global Climate Coalition, and commitment in your groundbreaking use of post-consumer plastic. Now I hope you will demonstrate leadership on a current initiative that stands to greatly alleviate our nation's dependence on oil. I urge you to support an increase in fuel economy standards and the elimination of the "SUV loophole."
The National Academy of Sciences recently concluded that Detroit could use off-the-shelf technologies to raise fuel economy to nearly 40 miles per gallon by 2012 without threatening safety or performance. This is wonderful news indeed, because a 40-mpg CAFE standard would save more oil than we receive from Persian Gulf imports, offshore drilling in California, and potential deposits in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge combined!
I know that you have joined the other Big Three automakers to lobby against needed fuel economy standards. I know SUVs account for an enormous amount of your company's profit. All the more reason for true leadership from you and Ford Motor Company. Please reconsider your position on this crucial issue. With Honda, Toyota and the United Automobile Workers union already expressing openness to higher standards, Ford Motor Company's support could tip Congress and the White House to accept vital improvements in the standards. Surely it would consistent with your bold, visionary and enlightened leadership style.
Please be a true patriot and publicly support an increase in fuel economy standards as well as the elimination of the SUV loophole.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
February 22, 2002
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Bill Ford, as chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company, presides over one of the largest corporations in the world. And he recognizes that he is in a position to make a lot of positive changes for the earth. He's been shaking stuff up in Detroit for some time with his green ways -- he withdrew from the Global Climate Coalition -- an industry front group designed to thwart proactive climate change policy -- and has made Ford's plants some of the cleanest and most resource efficient in the industry.
Then again, he's also responsible for the 11mpg Ford Excursion and other behemoths that slurp away our nation's energy security and cough up enough greenhouse gas pollutants to choke any hope of stabilizing climate change. As more SUVs enter the market, the average fuel economy of the U.S. new-car fleet declines -- and this year hit its lowest point since 1980.
Next month Congress will consider legislation to merge the two fuel economy standards and increase the new standard to 40 mpg over the next decade. This increase would save more oil than we receive from Persian Gulf imports, offshore drilling in California, and potential deposits in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge combined. It will also save car owners between $3000 and $5000 over the life of their vehicles.
The main obstacle is the Big Three American automakers. General Motors, Daimler-Chrysler and Ford are reaching into their deep pockets and lobbying the Bush Administration and Congress to reject needed fuel economy standards.
It's time for Bill Ford to demonstrate his commitment by breaking ranks from GM and Daimler-Chrysler and clearing the way for Congress to enact vital improvements in the standards. Your letter can help push him one step closer to doing the right thing for our nation and the planet!
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