Dirty cars costing more American jobs
One of the most frequent claims automobile industry lobbyists make when arguing against improving mileage requirements and other environmental standards is that new regulations will cost American jobs.
Two weeks ago GM announced that they're laying off workers at its Hamtramck plant due to low demand for two models of gas-guzzling cars made there. The good news for workers at the Hamtramck facility is that they'll start producing a new plug-in hybrid called the Chevy Volt starting in 2010. One has to wonder how many jobs might have been saved had General Motors committed earlier to meeting market demand for cars that get better mileage and pollute less.
Today Chrysler made a more severe announcement that it will cut 12,000 jobs in North America. This time the cuts will effect Illinois workers at the plant in Belvidere.
Chrysler is ending production of four models due to low demand: the PT Cruiser convertible, Chrysler Pacifica sport-utility vehicle, Chrysler Crossfire car and Dodge Magnum wagon. All four models get under 30mpg on the highway according to the company website.
This part of the story is important to note:
“These actions reflect our new customer-driven philosophy and allow us to focus our resources on new, more profitable and appealing products,” added James Press, Chrysler’s other co-president. “Further, these product actions are all in response to dealer requests.”Among the new vehicles to be produced in response to customer demand are two new hybrid models. Once again we see American jobs being lost because a car company was slow to respond to consumer demands for more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.
The short sighted actions of car manufacturers who push gas-guzzling cars onto the public have cost more American jobs in the auto industry than environmental regulations ever have or ever will. Its time to put the bogus industry scare tactics about "lost jobs" due to improved mileage standards to rest. If anything, forcing companies to produce more fuel efficient cars that consumers want could have saved thousands of American jobs.