Chrysler and Ford Join US Climate Action Partnership
27 June 2007
The Chrysler Group and Ford Motor have joined the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), endorsing and participating in its call for economy-wide mandatory reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
USCAP, a partnership representing key sectors of the economy and non-government organizations, earlier this year issued a set of six principles and recommendations toward slowing, stopping and reversing the growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the shortest period of time “reasonably achievable”.
The group has recommended that Congress establish short- and mid-term emission reduction targets; a national program to accelerate technology research, development and deployment; and approaches to encourage action by other countries, including the developing world.
In May, General Motors became the first automaker to join group. (Earlier post.)
Now is the time for advancing a national approach to climate change where all of us—individuals, industry and government—take action toward reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
We look forward to working with the USCAP members in formulating a system to control greenhouse gas emissions in a way that not just addresses the supply of energy-efficient products and commodities, but also spurs demand for them.
—Tom LaSorda, President and CEO, Chrysler Group
In testimony before Congress in March, LaSorda said that to make meaningful progress in reducing petroleum consumption in this country, the Federal Government needs to establish policies that address consumer demand and bend the bias of transportation fuels toward lower carbon alternatives as well as focusing on vehicle technology improvements.
Last week, Chrysler outlined a set of fuel-saving initiatives including developing mild-hybrid technology and expanding the company’s two-mode hybrid and BLUETEC clean-diesel programs. The company will also introduce new more fuel-efficient six- and eight-cylinder gasoline engines with Multi-displacement System (MDS) technology and dual-clutch transmission technology. (Earlier post.)
IF Chrysler is so keen on reducing carbon-based fuels, then why aren't they pursuing plug-in hybrid technology, as well as electric vehicles. These are the types of technologies that are "low carbon". EV's have no emmissions at all.
The only thing Chrysler has in the works is the Dodge Sprinter VAN PHEV, and that's it. Nothing designed for mainstream consumers.
Chrysler should first start up a concrete PHEV and EV program, and then start priming the Feds for grants, incentives, and tax breaks, not the other way around.
Tick tock, tick tock, Chrysler is already losing ground on PHEV's and EV's. Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, and GM all have programs active in these areas.
Posted by: BJD | 27 June 2007 at 09:27 AM
Bastards! Out of one side of their mouth comes this PR crap, with lots of words and no action. Out of the other side of their mouth they're bitchin' (and spending money feverishly to fight) the very same changes that need to be done to accomplish what they talk about above.
Posted by: darwin | 27 June 2007 at 09:34 AM
Aren't these the same folks making a fuss over the proposed California GHG legislation?
Posted by: Tom | 27 June 2007 at 10:35 AM
I think the disconnect comes in the definition of "reasonably achievable". They want glacial, we want lightning.
Posted by: NeilPackrats | 27 June 2007 at 10:49 AM
Just a lot of PR on the part of Chrysler and Ford, and an attempt to further steer U.S. transportation policy towards flex-fuels and away from the far superior hybrid technologies that the Japanese auto makers are having such success with here in the U.S. As gasoline moves to $4/gal and more, look for more automobile plant closings at GM and Ford, and another market share increase for Toyota.
Posted by: Dennis Webb | 27 June 2007 at 10:52 AM
Sometimes the best way to make sure no action is taken is to join an "action" group.
Posted by: marcus | 27 June 2007 at 11:03 AM
I suspect the real motive is to introduce their suggestions on how to reduce greenhouse gases before someone forces them to be even more aggressive.
By setting low standards, no one can say they are avoiding the issue.
Posted by: jrojai | 27 June 2007 at 12:03 PM
No the main problems are they want a nation wide regu;ation not a patchwork one and they want to make sure if some tech doesnt pan out all freeping bleep doesnt break loose because some digbat demands they meet the goal anyway. They also dont want the short term/ mid term to screw up the longer term goal of going electric drive...
AND they want the definitions of how e85 b20 blah blah blah blah effect things to be nailed down as well.
And of course they want it slower so they are more likely to meet the goal AND stay out of bankruptcy...
Posted by: wintermane | 27 June 2007 at 12:18 PM
Wintermane and Neil hit the nail on the head, IMO.
Some people here would still find fault if the Domestics scrapped their SUV lines entirely and only produced kei cars.
Posted by: Cervus | 27 June 2007 at 12:28 PM
Some of you guys are automatic opposition. Do you even read anything that is written without the automatic complaint? Or have you been Pavlovian trained to spout innanities as soon as teh word "Auto maker" is said and growl like a rabid Dog if it includes the word Detroit?
The dual mode hybrid drive that will be offered on next year's gas guzzling SUVs, is the most efficient and best hybrid drive available on the Planet!
It is some 20% more efficient than the best of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive in an advanced Prius.
Saying that they planning on offering mild-hybrids as well, says that the start-stop and regenerative braking, is coming to even their non-hybrid drivetrains. If nothing else these mild hybrids will build volume and reduce costs, for electrical componentry needed on further HEV and PHEV products.
Were I any manufacturer, I would save a special announcment on a PHEV to that specific subject.
Why all the criticism?
is it that Chrysler like all the others, didn't like the CARBite global warming nonsense regulation?
No company from any country does, as it is pure pc assinine, except to the true believers who can't or won't think.
What is the perfect CARB auto standard? It's the Zero Emission Vehicle or ZEV. All the emmission allowed then is... 100% powerful GHGs. Or have you forgotten about that noxious compound called water that is 16 times a greater GHG per unit, than CO2? The proposed Carbite standard limits the weak GHGs; and mandates and WANTS as much as you can of the worst GHG.
Yet the CARB idiots are mandating that the endpoint of all their efforts will be to rerquire a totally 100% GHG emitting vehicle!!
A FCV vehicle is a moving water polluter and GHG generatior. The only True ZEV is one that doesn't even emit water, and that is a BEV with the electrons coming from a NUKE.
Posted by: Stan Peterson | 27 June 2007 at 01:17 PM
If Chrysler made a PHEV pickup which got 25 MPG on fuel but could run 2/3 of its mileage on electricity, that's 75 MPG effective. That would be the bees knees.
Posted by: Reality Czech | 27 June 2007 at 01:20 PM
The phrase "putting lipstick on a pig" comes to mind
Posted by: Kevin | 27 June 2007 at 01:47 PM