January 6, 2003

Small Business Survival Committee President Darrell McKigney today issued the following statement regarding the introduction of hybrid vehicles:

The Small Business Survival Committee has long fought against Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mileage mandates by the federal government.  These regulations have been a burden to America's small businesses, forcing prices for light trucks, vans and SUVs - the vehicles small businesses depend on - higher and higher.

CAFE regulations have not had any discernable positive results in decreasing reliance on foreign oil or improving the environment.  Further, they have caused a demonstrable increase in highway traffic deaths, through the forced manufacture of lighter vehicles.

It is in the shadow of the CAFE mandate that the Small Business Survival Committee salutes the U.S. automotive industry for proactively designing and manufacturing the first mass production American-made hybrid vehicles.

Today in Detroit, Michigan, General Motors announced they will produce five vehicles in the next three model years that run on different versions of gas/electric engines.  It is this type of innovation will bring us to real solutions to the problems CAFE has failed to address.

The Bush Administration and Congress should take a cue from the U.S. auto industry and push for policies that promote innovation.  This approach will bring quality products to consumers and address the problems that the CAFE mandate has failed to solve.  

The Small Business Survival Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit small business advocacy organization with 70,000 members nationwide.