Bob Lutz: CAFE 35 will increase the cost of GMs by $6000

[TinmanMS6]

Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman of GM, said, "This is going to be a net average of cost of $6,000 per vehicle which will have to be passed onto the consumer. The good news is it won't come all at once, because 35 mpg doesn't kick in all at once." Lutz goes on to claim that the average American will be forced to hold on to their cars longer, also increasing the cost of used vehicles.

 

[mikeyb]

They should just add the $6K onto all of there trucks. I'm a big truck hater.

 

[TinmanMS6]

It's going to cost a lot more than $6k to get all of their trucks under the 35mpg bar. I'm pretty sure that's where the average part comes in.

Still, I'm calling BS.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Good thing I have absolutely no interest in buying a GM...

 

[nealric]

Only if the consumer is stupid and insists on big SUV's

Actually, if they just used smaller engines and made cars lighter, the cost of cars would go DOWN, not up and still get the 35mpg.

 

[mikeyb]

Good thing I have absolutely no interest in buying a GM...

I have no interest in buying a GM truck but would consider a Pontiac G8 GT.

 

[TinmanMS6]

Only if the consumer is stupid and insists on big SUV's

Actually, if they just used smaller engines and made cars lighter, the cost of cars would go DOWN, not up and still get the 35mpg.

If you're talking about just building smaller cars, then yes, that's true. If you're talking about reducing the weight of a car without making it smaller, then no, not cheaper.

 

[nealric]

I mean just making smaller cars as opposed to SUVs

 

[Powerslave]

yeah but you can look at like a toeilet... people have to flush twice, if there where no trucks to move stuff then people would have to use there cars to drive back and forth so many times...its like flushing twice after going poo....lol

 

[TinmanMS6]

Problem is, most people on the road drive around with one or two people in a car. Still, if you have to haul more people, there's always the Mazda5.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

problem is, 90% of the people who own trucks/SUVs have never or will never use them for their intended purpose...so many people like them for their false sense of security of a bigger vehicle...

 

[Powerslave]

What may sovle the gas issue in the near future.. I read that Texas Instruments has developed a battery the lasts as long as todays lythium batteries but only takes 4-5 minutes to fully charge. The technology is here, they said in 3-5 years this will cuase a revolution in hybrid-pluggin cars, you won't even need an engine cuase you can plug in your car and its fully charged in 5 minutes..

 

[Rogue]

I think there should be a required permit to purchas a Truck/SUV. You have to show due cause to own one. Having a kid is not a viable reason to own an SUV that weighs so much it doesn't fall under EPA regulations for gas mileage (Ford Expedition L). At my work we have 4 Suburbans, a Diesel Excursion, a Silverado, and a Taurus. Most of the time, the vehicle only carries one person, but there's tons of equipment in the back of the 'Burban.

Is it the R&D that's going to add the cost? Or just more expensive parts?

 

[TinmanMS6]

Is it the R&D that's going to add the cost? Or just more expensive parts?

Dunno. Bob's being vague because he doesn't like CAFE. I think he's just throwing a fit.

 

[Rogue]

i'm not too thrilled about it either. There are 3 parties involved here: The Auto Industry, the Oil Company, and the consumer. Why should all the weight be put on only the Auto Industry. One senator suggested putting a tax on gas to force people to use less. I know it'd suck, but I'm sure people would think twice before buying a gas guzzling SUV.

 

[mikeyb]

Tax the use of gas.

 

[TinmanMS6]

I have no interest in buying a GM truck but would consider a Pontiac G8 GT.

Missed this earlier, somehow. Agreed. I'd also hit a CTS-V silly. Neither one is going to hit 35mpg any time soon, either. Fortunately, the V-series Caddies are low enough volume to not put a ding in GM's CAFE numbers.

 

[TinmanMS6]

i'm not too thrilled about it either. There are 3 parties involved here: The Auto Industry, the Oil Company, and the consumer. Why should all the weight be put on only the Auto Industry. One senator suggested putting a tax on gas to force people to use less. I know it'd suck, but I'm sure people would think twice before buying a gas guzzling SUV.

Tax the use of gas.

I agree. If they upped taxes on gas, there'd be a turnaround much faster than this legislation is going to affect. Unfortunately, increased gas prices drive up the cost of all consumer goods due to the increased cost of transportation of said goods. That would not be good for this country's economy.

 

[CX-7owner]

Most of the people that buy those gas guzzlers don't really care about extra expenses..(that's why they're getting that Expedition EL) or they would just uncheck a few boxes on the option list.

 

[MakeMeGoFast]

its the 70's all over again........except its not muscle cars, its suv's