The recently-proposed CAFE standards will affect vehicles’ required fuel economy based mainly on their footprint, which is defined as the relative area within its four wheels, or basically a product of their track and wheelbase. The proposal has already spurred theories as to how automakers will attempt to side-step or maximize their chances at meeting the rules, by moving vehicles to different categories through manipulating their footprint.
Critics also wonder why the NHTSA wouldn’t use weight or overall vehicle size as the standard. In its proposal, the NHTSA defends its choice by noting footprint is the most difficult to change than any other attribute. Next-generation models are already being developed, for example, and changing its foundation by either stretching its wheelbase and / or widening its track, means effectively starting the design and engineering from the ground up. In the long-term, however, it is possible cars will grow, but not only to reflect manufacturers wishes to fit them into a less stringent category, but also to reflect the customer’s needs for more interior space.
And such growth is not a recent trend. As examples, before the proposals were even dreamt up, the latest Chevy Malibu has a wheelbase that is six inches longer than its predecessor, while the Toyota Camry’s grew by 2.2 inches. The Honda Civic, which itself grew by 1.2 inches in wheelbase, is no longer the automaker’s entry-level car, with the Japan and Europe-sourced Fit taking that honor.
While the proposed rules are still not law, there is a 7.7mpg disparity on average, between products from Chrysler (33.6mpg) and Porsche (41.3mpg), which sit at opposite ends of the range. For trucks, the difference is smaller, at 6.3mpg on average, with Suzuki at the high end and GM at the low, required to average just 27.4mpg, not that far off the current 22.5mpg standard. The requirements would also take into account the numbers in which a vehicle is built, making it more complicated.
05/05, 11:59 AM
posted by:
injunraiv
Typical BS legislation… Why are we not surprised?
05/05, 12:02 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Did anyone at NHTSA even try to look around the world to figure out why the rest of humanity drives much more fuel efficient vehicles and less polluting as well, then population in US of A? Perhaps somebody in civilized world already solved this problem in intelligent way?
05/05, 12:07 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
In other news, the NTHSA prediction astrologers have noted that the moon is no longer in the 7th house and that Jupiter is misaligned with Mars and so henceforth CAFE fuel efficiency requirements will be calculated based on the stretched out length of the headlamp relative to the length of the car, giving Nissan a big jump on the rest of the world.
05/05, 12:45 PM
posted by:
cookie4me
Good! We are the only idiotic country to use CAFE. That is the problem with government, there is always loopholes and the government can only be as smart as the citizens that it educates. With major urban center graduating less than 50% of high school students on time how can we not be surprised?
05/05, 1:39 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Great…
American cars are obese already. They don’t need to get any bigger.
05/05, 1:43 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Honestly I think fuel prices more than some stupid standards are going to dictate what auto makers build. We can already see trucks and SUVs taking a huge dive… being replaced by econocars and crossovers in droves. The auto makers aren’t going to build what doesn’t sell, and the american public is atleast intelligent enough to look at fuel economy numbers and realise that smaller is better.
05/05, 3:51 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Well, an increase in width wouldn’t hurt. I’m not a big guy, but I still feel cramped even inside a mid-size SUV.
05/05, 3:58 PM
posted by:
Renton
Typical protect the Big 3 and Toyota and their oversized behemoths and not deal with the real problem of not getting with the program,
Build smaller more efficient cars. When Honda is being unfairly penalized something is wrong.
Honda strives to build effiecient cars already and has for years. Honda is probably number 1 in this regard. Which is why they never built a stupid land yacht.
Retarded law.
05/05, 4:14 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
“Honda strives to build effiecient cars already and has for years. Honda is probably number 1 in this regard. Which is why they never built a stupid land yacht.”
What do you call the Pilot or Ridgeline? While I will agree that Honda is probably #1 for small fuel efficient vehicles I feel that I have to point out that neither of those two are anything close.
05/05, 4:47 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Is this an attempt to dazzle us with brilliance or baffle us with bullsh*t? Personally, I think they should have some pretty nice roses at the NHTSA headquarters this year.
05/05, 5:14 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Well you had to figure any new law passed would have some kind of loophole so the rich people could keep on doing what they want to.
God I am so tired of this country and its BS. I hate the fact that our government is being totally run by idiots and big business… and we elected them.
Can we just recall everyone in Washington and try elections again?
05/05, 5:56 PM
posted by:
carstuff
Did anyone at NHTSA even try to look around the world to figure out why the rest of humanity drives much more fuel efficient vehicles and less polluting as well, then population in US of A? Perhaps somebody in civilized world already solved this problem in intelligent way
..
..
It is called higher gas prices. Lets everyone say add taxes, all together now.
05/05, 8:22 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
That’s why I said the “Footprint” law was stupid.
05/05, 8:46 PM
posted by:
autonut
Lads, it aint law yet and we don’t know what our congress will come up with. Remember our governing process: by the time congress will be done with it the current law in any form will be work of genius. Wait till our elected officials will demand cars and trucks to stop at red lights automatically and count falling chads off the ballot sheets.
05/06, 1:04 AM
posted by:
AxeHead
I want fins on my next car.
05/06, 1:48 AM
posted by:
bigp
just kill the cafe because feul effecincey will increase in automarkers see that cars nit dint have good milage are sitting on lots not moving while the good milage cars are flying off,if i want an suv that gets 2 or 2oo mpg its up to me because im filling the tank not you so who cares,auto emission dont even acount for half of gobal warming but are taking all if blame. they sould get real and go after the big companies and stay out of their packets