NADA Chief Pines for Detroit's Fuel Efficient Future
Automotive News [AN, sub] reports that the chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has got religion. Dale Willey believes that the key to Detroit's future lies in building fuel efficient vehicles. Speaking to his not-so-ruthless, toothless pals at the Automotive Press Association, Willey cited a 37 percent annual increase in U.S. sales of hybrid vehicles as proof that The Big 2.8's survival depends on its ability to jump on the gas-miser bandwagon. Which is why his organization supports the proposed bill raising combined corporate average fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks to 32 to 35 mpg by 2022 (as opposed to the dreaded 35 by 2020 bill). At the same time, Willey called for more domestic product innovation, which has already led to "successful sales of such crossovers as the Buick Enclave and Ford Edge." FYI: When he's not the mouthpiece for 20k new-vehicle dealers operating 43k franchises, Willey runs a Buick, Pontiac, GMC and Cadillac dealership in Lawrence, Kansas.
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As long as they can put paint protection, floormats and glass etching on it (for $1500 extra), they don't care what they sell.