Issues
Vehicle Fuel Efficiency up in 2008 Model Year
Nov. 20, 2009
By Ken Thomas
…The Obama administration has pressed for tougher fuel efficiency requirements and proposed a 40 percent increase by 2016. Environmentalists said the EPA data showed the need for stiff requirements, noting that $4 gasoline prices in 2008 failed to dramatically boost fuel efficiency.
EPA: Mileage of new vehicles up slightly in 2008
Nov. 20, 2009
By Justin Hyde
…Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate campaign, said the report showed that the gasoline price spike of 2008 to more than $4 a gallon in many areas did little to influence car buyers toward more efficient models.
Honda leads in fuel efficiency
Detroit News
Nov. 21, 2009
By David Shepardson
Higher Gas Prices Alone Won’t Make Cleaner Cars a Reality
DC.Streetsblog.org
Nov. 20, 2009
By Elana Schor
Obama Hobbled in Fight Against Global Warming
Nov. 16, 3009
By John M. Broder
General Motors X-Car Brake Lock-up
On March 30, 1983, General Motors announced a recall of 240,000 1980 X-cars due to rear brake lock-up, a problem that causes spin-outs in sudden stops or on wet roads. Intended to end a four-year controversy over the front-wheel-drive cars’ brakes, the recall instead merely signaled the end of General Motors’ X-car cover-up. Four months later a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit charged all one million 1980 X-cars with having defective brakes, and GM with having lied repeatedly to government investigators.
Ford Pinto Fuel Tank
On June 9, 1978, Ford Motor Company agreed to recall 1.5 million Ford Pinto and 30,000 Mercury Bobcat sedan and hatchback models for fuel tank design defects which made the vehicles susceptible to fire in the of a moderate-speed rear end collision.
Firestone 500 Steel Belted Radials
On November 29, 1978, Firestone announced the recall of 14.5 million steel belted radials produced by the company. This recall is the largest tire recall to date.