Big 3 interested in gas tax
Detroit worried about the cost of gasAs the economy sinks and gas prices keep dropping, Big 3 automakers find themselves in a pickle. If sales don't pick up, bankruptcy is inevitable. Even worse, many of their new vehicles are being developed around fuel efficiency, but will consumers want to buy more expensive fuel efficient vehicles if gas prices don't spike? Certainly, gas prices will eventually go back up, but that could take a few years, and US automakers don't have a few years. Thus, there is a push, according to the AP, for a floor on gas prices to ensure that fuel efficient technology is a viable option for automakers as soon as the technology is released.
Ultimately, isn't Congress and its focus on CAFE a joke when it comes to fuel efficiency? Isn't a gas tax the only way forward?
Labels: gas tax
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:19 AM
7 Comments:
After writing this post, I couldn't help but wonder if the Big 3 really want a gas tax. In a few years, the Big 3 will still be selling a small amount of fuel efficient vehicles.
I mean, please, what is GM going to do, start selling a few 100,000 Volts per year by 2012?
No way.
If gas were $3.00+ today, would the Big 3 have any chance of survival? What would they sell? They have nothing, and it will take them many years to scale production and profitability.
While I agree that there needs to be a floor on gas prices, I think the Big 3 are talking smack. They know neither Obama nor Congress has the balls to advocate a gas tax in this economy.
And, in this economy, cheap gas is the best thing for Detroit and they know it.
Games.
The truth is, a serious gas tax today would crush the US auto industry.
Games.
The money from a gas tax will end up in the pocket of an asshole senator or one of his buddies. It might be used to give congress another raise. Our elected officials are crooks. Give them no more money.
anon-
Hard to argue against your point. Still, there are some talking about putting McCain in charge of a program that would include the gas tax, thus Congress wouldn't have full control. Ultimately, I think such a gas tax could be structured in a way that would make more transparent.
Californians already pay 36 cents in gas taxes
I am completely in favor of alternative energy and believe that one day the government will need to replace the gasoline tax as vehicles are becoming more efficient and tax revenue intended to fix roadways and bridges is lowering in comparison to the amount of miles traveled per gallon sold.
I think taxing vehicles that do not use gasoline or putting extra taxes on vehicles would be counterproductive in moving us away from dependence on foreign oil.
Rather than taxing miles driven, I believe it would be better for the government to raise the tax on gasoline. States should look at a percentage gasoline tax, especially while the price of gasoline is "low". Then as the economy strengthens and gas prices increase, so will state revenue from gasoline taxes. This will reward efficiency and create a tax that will not hurt economic recovery. www.regular87.comtext
john-
and yet look at how many drive huge gas-guzzlers in California. California's tax has not led to smarter auto consumerism overall. suv craziness in California has largely been out of control, yet most in california have no need for SUV functionality.
even our $4.00 gas this summer was a bargain compared to prices in Europe.
without a significant increase in gas prices, great change won't happen, unless mandated and funded - via tax and debt - by the government.
i'd prefer transparency and pay at the pump, rather than let the government totally manage this change via pork and bailouts.
americans dont want small cars.period!i would suggest the people who want an increase in gas taxes should donate more of thier own money to the government.i would by a chevy volt to drivr back and forth to work but how am i going to haul the firewood i use to heat my home.wich is supposed to emit less carbon than electric or gas heating!the cafe standards are what put automakers in the position they are in now anyway.
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