Carmakers, Rejecting Trump Pollution Rule, Strike Deal With California

"WASHINGTON — Four of the world’s largest automakers have struck a deal with California to reduce automobile emissions, siding with the state in its fight with President Trump over one of his most consequential regulatory rollbacks.

In coming weeks, the Trump administration is expected to all but eliminate an Obama-era regulation designed to reduce vehicle emissions that contribute to global warming. California and 13 other states have vowed to keep enforcing the stricter rules, potentially splitting the United States auto market in two.

With car companies facing the prospect of having to build two separate lineups of vehicles, they opened secretive talks with California regulators in which the automakers — Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen of America, Honda and BMW — won rules that are slightly less restrictive than the Obama standards and that they can apply to vehicles sold nationwide.

The agreement provides “much-needed regulatory certainty,” the companies said in a joint statement, while enabling them to “meet both federal and state requirements with a single national fleet, avoiding a patchwork of regulations.”"

Coral Davenport and Hiroko Tabuchi report for the New York Times July 25, 2019.

SEE ALSO:

"California, Four Automakers Defy Trump, Agree To Tighten Emissions Rules" (Reuters)

"Automakers Buck Trump, Sign Fuel Economy Deal With Calif." (Greenwire)

"Calif. Skirts Trump, Signs Mileage Deal With 4 Automakers" (AP)

Source: NY Times, 07/26/2019