Big 3 take hit over fuel rules (Detroit News)

[eppur_se_muova]

Court strikes down hikes to SUV, truck standards, says they don't go far enough.
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- A federal appeals court Thursday threw out the Bush administration's standards to improve the fuel efficiency of pickups, vans and SUVs, saying the rules didn't take into account the impact of auto emissions on the environment.

The court also said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration didn't justify the lower mileage standards for the light-truck category compared with passenger cars, and failed to set standards for heavier commercial trucks and vans.

NHTSA was ordered to rewrite the rules as soon as possible for light trucks built through 2011. If upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the rewrite will almost assuredly boost the planned increase in light-truck fuel economy. And it means automakers -- who have already planned their fleets through the next three years -- may have to incorporate stricter standards.

The decision is the latest blow to automakers struggling on multiple fronts to fight off aggressive efforts to increase what are called Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. NHTSA and the Environmental Protection Agency have been working on new Bush administration rules, while Congress has been battling all year over CAFE legislation. Thursday's court ruling could put pressure on lawmakers to reach a compromise and pass new rules.

Thursday's 90-page ruling by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco was a victory for the states and environmental groups who challenged NHTSA's decision last year to modestly increase light-truck fuel economy.
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more: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071116/AUTO01/711160383/1148

[One_Life_To_Give]

1. Unintended Consequence?

No regulation will be enforced on 2011 production. Probably give Detraoit a free pass till at least 2015.