Let's face it, we're gonna have to do something about the mess this guy got himself into, but let's do it smartly. From everything I read and hear, this is the best way to address Detroit's failure to provide products that Americans want to buy.
How to Address the American Automotive Industry Crisis
1. Perform an assessment of global auto industry financial landscape with the goal of creating a level playing field. Some auto companies outside the US already receive government support in various ways. Germany is a part owner of Volkswagen. Japan invests heavily in battery technology research that has directly benefitted Toyota. Our government ought to do a similar job supporting our auto industry, but not exceed what I'd call a "global average auto industry subsidy." Let's figure out what that average is and give Detroit the same support.
2. Provide tax incentives to promote the roll out of hybrid and non-carbon based transportation vehichles. Give hefty tax breaks for buyers of full electric cars, lesser tax breaks for buyers of hybrid cars, no tax breaks for buyers of traditional gas powered cars, and hefty tax penaltys for buyers of gas guzzelers. Spend the tax money on investments in new energy technology, creating high paying jobs!
3. Do away with the fleet fuel economy standards and apply a gas tax to spur consumers to choose fuel efficient cars. Rather than mandating that Detroit sell a fleet of vehicles with some minimum average fuel economy, instead apply a gasoline tax that will encourage consumers to buy fuel efficient vehicles. This does away with the loopholes that allow 8 mpg SUVs to fill our streets. Rubbish! No More! Spend the tax money on investments in new energy technology, creating high paying jobs!
4. Any car company that accepts US Taxpayer Funds can no longer lobby or sue government agencies.
1 comment:
Mark the Mechanic
I work for a large local government fleet as a mechanic (Rated number 3 in the US). I would like to raise a point that I do not see discussed on this issue. Our Public fleet is all Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet trucks. In the second quarter of 2009 we are scheduled to replace 2,500 hundred of these aging vehicles. It would not seem right to replace them with Toyota Tundra's.
If you add up all the public fleets in the united states and the amount of vehicles they purchase the numbers are giant. If these tax payer funded fleets buy all Toyotas is this good for the US Economy. Even though Toyota and Nissan builds vehicles in the US, all profits are pumped back into the Japanese economy. What about us? Would the average tax payer vote to send money directly to Japan?
Post a Comment