America’s franchised auto dealers are backing proposed changes to U.S. fuel-economy rules, saying the reforms could help restore affordability and consumer choice in the showroom.
In a statement, the National Automobile Dealers Association responded to an announcement by U.S. President Donald J. Trump in early December on proposed reforms to the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The changes would reset how fuel-efficiency targets are set for new vehicles sold in the United States.
“NADA has advocated for regulations that protect consumer choice and vehicle affordability for decades,” said the association. “The comprehensive reset of CAFE standards proposed today represents a milestone in that effort, and we commend the Trump Administration for its leadership on the issue.”
CAFE standards, first introduced in the 1970s, set average fuel-efficiency requirements for automakers’ vehicle fleets. Critics in the retail auto sector have long argued that aggressive targets can drive up vehicle prices and limit the mix of models available to consumers, particularly in trucks and larger vehicles.
According to NADA, the proposed approach would allow automakers to comply using a broader mix of technologies rather than relying on a narrow set of solutions. “If finalized, these regulations would craft standards that can be met with a range of technologies. This would enable manufacturers to produce vehicles suited to a wide spectrum of consumers with varying budgets and fuel preferences.”
The group emphasized that dealers support fuel-economy rules when they align with real-world market conditions. “America’s franchised automobile dealers support CAFE standards that are technologically feasible, economically practical, and in line with customer demand for affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles,” said the NADA.
