Obama to magically improve gas mileage

[zahc]

Sen. Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat and chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, thanked the Obama administration for bringing together "the federal government, the State of California, and the auto industry behind new national automobile emissions standards that follow California’s lead.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30810514/

Cars will be "required" to get 42mpg by 2016. My corolla doesn't even get quite 42mpg, and it's compact go-kart that won't pull 5th if there is a headwind.

I don't understand why Obama doesn't just wave his magic change wand and legislate away all the pollution, and cars while he's at it. Cars are bad and we should all walk, it's for our own good.

Of course, the automakers aren't raising their voices, because their mouths are currently plastered over the federal government's teat. Why am I having these feelings of bitterness and cynicism? I'm only 23.

[Nick1911]

Why am I having these feelings of bitterness and cynicism? I'm only 23.

Amen.

[makattak]

From the article:

The requirement will gradually phase in, starting with 2011 vehicle models.

HOW!?!?!?!?

The 2010 models will be coming out soon.

The plans and plants for the 2011 models should already be set so that they can manufacture them this year. Are they saying the car companies, that are already suffering, are going to be making costly design changes THIS YEAR?

[slugcatcher]

Hmmmm. Might I see a slight increase in "gas guzzler taxes" being paid to the federal government over the next several years?

[charby]

Fed are going to have to rescind some of the safety features if they want CAFE to be 42 mpg or GM, Ford and Mopar need to get in the motorcycle business.

[Antibubba]

Remember, it won't be every car.  That number will be averaged.  All that one of the companies has to do is come up with 1 or two "limited edition" versions that manage 65mpg, and the rest of them can come in lower.

[K Frame]

Wrong forum.