In the news today it looks like not only are we looking at better ways to get better fuel efficient cars, our president has increased the speed that we will be making that change.
On Monday Jan 26th 2009, Obama ordered new guidelines in place to start affecting cars sold in 2011. Obama Directs Regulators to Tighten Auto Rules
Obama directed his administration to get moving on new fuel-efficiency guidelines for the auto industry in time to cover 2011 model-year cars.
A law passed by Congress in 2007 requires that by 2020, new cars and trucks meet a standard of 35 miles per gallon, a 40 percent increase over the status quo. But the Bush administration did not set regulations in support of that law.
Industry officials have also said they would face billions of dollars in new costs to meet the rules at a time when General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have received billions in federal loans to stay afloat.
Mean while we are loosing dealers at an alarming rate.
About 2,500 U.S. auto dealers may close in 2009, or more than 10 percent of the nation's car and light-truck retailers.
General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., and Chrysler LLC said about 988 of their auto dealerships closed or were consolidated last year.
GM, Ford, Chrysler Lost About 988 Auto Dealers During 2008
Ford saw around 300 dealers shutter their doors last year. Chrysler had 287 U.S. dealers close last year.
Not to mention there will be a shedding of some of the nation's largest auto-parts makers are planning for potential bankruptcy filings. Auto Supplier Industry May Ask for Bailout Money
Here at Ford of Kirkland we are doing just the opposite, while others in our industry are contracting, we are expanding. We have added used cars to our lot this week bringing our inventory up by 30% .We will be getting more new vehicles than any other Washington Ford dealer, Jim Walen our dealer owner principle said, “we will do all we can to be # 1 in our region and Jim will will be on hand to make sure we are a viable business in 2009”.
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