California sues automakers over global warming.
By on Sep 21st, 2006 at 11:15 am
California sues automakers over global warming.
“General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and four other automakers were sued by California for making vehicles that contribute to global warming, causing pollution and erosion that costs the state millions of dollars.”
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i’m a pretty to the left kind of guy,but this is bullshit.as if the auto makers aren’t having a hard enough time,now they have to contend with this.
September 21st, 2006 at 11:25 amget your heads out of your asses california.i hope this lawsuit is tossed.
The Differance between Florida and California?
In Florida, the nuts and fruits grow on trees.
September 21st, 2006 at 11:25 amhey! …see FASTam thread… like minds…
September 21st, 2006 at 11:28 amBy all means, burden the already failing US auto industry with frivolous lawsuits. There are so many ways in which this lawsuit can backfire, they are too numerous to list here.
September 21st, 2006 at 11:30 amLook the GOP told the auto industry to manufacture gas guzzling SUVs, and now the American auto industry is collapsing, so go yell at Repubs in DC about this stuff!
September 21st, 2006 at 11:31 am#2
September 21st, 2006 at 11:35 amAnd in California they grow on what…bushes?
This so so stupid. Any car, truck, or SUV sold in California has to pass a emissions test. The test is one of the strictest in the US. The car can not be sold in that state if it does not pass the test. You can’t say it’s OK to sell this car in the state but now you owe us more money. We can’t prove that your product is causing a problem we can’t really prove exist. We don’t care that it puts you out of business and puts people out of work. We just want to look like we care about the environment.
September 21st, 2006 at 11:40 amJason,
So when did Toyota and Nissan become American owned car companies?
This lawsuit is a tool to push back at the car industry that has failed to improve fuel economy and pollution control. It won’t go that far and they certainly won’t win. But at least they are geting a point across that the US government and the auto industry has been stagnant in addressing this source of pollution.
September 21st, 2006 at 11:42 amThe big three really have no excuse for not being on the cutting edge when it comes to manufacturing autos.
September 21st, 2006 at 11:46 amHowever, they lost their way somewhere along the line and defrauded their investors by not looking to the future. Then when things got bad they offloaded their employees as being too costly and offload to their guzzling autos to the vunerably populus of their own country. They knew where the price of gas was going.
All in the name of profits that could have been substantial had they pursued the next generation of transportation.
This is the perfect example of corporate greed and what they leave behind.
Disgraceful at best.
No matter what the GOP said, automakers are still free to be responsible. You rightwing nuts need to get your heads out of your butts and stop being so stupid.
September 21st, 2006 at 11:48 amI like this idea! Screw Ford and GM. It’s not like they aren’t fighting tooth and nail against their workers’ rights. It’s more profitable for the Japanese companies to open plants in the USA, and that’s where those workers will go. Ford and GM need to get the signal that they are behind the times. And I’m a long time Ford Truck loyalist too. But I’m tired of fuel economy seemingly getting worse, or at least not better, as the years go on. It’s silly! With decades or research they can’t make their trucks more economic??? I doubt that. It’s just until recently, nobody cared much and it was cheaper to NOT do the research and focus on more visible/profitable aspects instead.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:01 pmHmmm, no German/Italian auto makers? I smell a Nazi conspiracy here. Somebody quick check Lockears linieage for Nazi sympathizers. I bet he drops it after the UAW writes him a check.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:11 pmNobody said the automakers don’t need to be reasonable. The cars of today are a lot safer than they were 10 years ago. The consumers wanted SUV and Trucks. The auto industry filled that need. The market changed and now they are adjusting. Not as quick as I and I’m sure they would like. But to sue them for something this flimsy is insane.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:18 pm[...] http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/21/california-sues-automakers-over-global-warming/Â California sues automakers over global warming. [...]
September 21st, 2006 at 12:20 pmas if the auto makers aren’t having a hard enough time,now they have to contend with this.
Comment by I drive a big truck
Yeah, those poor guys making millions by polluting the air.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:24 pmBTW, you know what psychology says about men driving big cars, dont you?
Uhh yeah. Because all of us lefties love driving big trucks.
This has got to be one of the worst “I’m a lefty” comments I have seen in ages.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:28 pmWith decades or research they can’t make their trucks more economic??? I doubt that.
GM is the 11th economy on Earth. But what they would invest on cheaper, cleaner, smaller and more efficient engines when they have dumbasses thinking that a roaring motor, spending gallons just on ignition, makes your manhood grow?
September 21st, 2006 at 12:29 pmYeah, that joke was funny in the ’80s or was it?
September 21st, 2006 at 12:29 pmI think more than anything this sends a message to corporations that people are serious about global warming and that they want change.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:30 pmThe one time we don’t get a long drawn out load of blather from Schindler is the one time you want one.
Go ahead and list them out Jason. What are some of the ways this can backfire?
September 21st, 2006 at 12:31 pmWhat is stupid are dumb ass Republicans who insist on driving big giant gas guzzling SUVs, to move around two people.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:33 pmThey are still free to be responsible. Hybrids, electric cars….maybe it’s not the lawsuit that’s insane and flimsy.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:33 pmAlthough I do think Ford and GM are doing a terrible job running their companies by sticking their head in the sand and putting all their proverbial eggs into the SUV market, I don’t think there’s any grounds to sue over this. Nobody forced people to buy the cars / trucks / SUVs. It would make more sense to try to sue the California public for using these gas guzzlers.
Anyway Ford and GM are already reaping the benefits of stagnation and stubbornly focusing on monstrosities like the Yukon.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:39 pm“The American way of life is not negotiable.” – Dick Cheney, 2001.
Translation = “We are stubborn Republicans and we will not, under any circumstances, stop eating up most of the world’s natural resources and causing irreversible environmental damage.”
September 21st, 2006 at 12:41 pmConsidering Guv. Ahhnold virtually singlehandedly generated the marketing buzz and mass production of the Hummer, and the fact that he owns five of them, this is truly ironic. Or is it hypocritical?
September 21st, 2006 at 12:43 pm#13
Nobody said the automakers don’t need to be reasonable. The cars of today are a lot safer than they were 10 years ago.
Comment by Kevin
That’s a good point about car safety. As to how they got that way it wasn’t out of the kindness of their heart. It was through legislation and lawsuits.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:48 pmThere’s a reason why Toyota is taking over as the largest auto maker, does anyone know that reason?
September 21st, 2006 at 12:48 pmGuv Ahhnold is the biggest hypocrite since Bush. Promotes a healthy lifestyle but used steroids and smokes cigars. Claims to love California but can’t wait to destroy it. He would make a good Republican presidential candidate. Fortunately he can’t run.
September 21st, 2006 at 12:51 pmOkay … I’m decidedly liberal and don’t doubt global warming exists (I have this thing for trusting thousands of scientists and facts from all over the world).
But this is just … well, kinda stupid.
Kevin in post #7 nailed the problem with the suit — you can’t demand that auto makers follow a law then sue them when they do so.
There is a chance that this is a known failure of a lawsuit that’s just being done to try and scare auto makers into making more fuel efficient, less polluting automobiles. But wouldn’t a better idea be to change the law and make emission standards more stringent? Or would that be a tough sell in California (seriously … anyone know)?
September 21st, 2006 at 12:53 pmUnholy+Moses,
The problem is that if you make the California emmissions standards any more strict and the auto amkers won’t be able to seel their gas guzzling pieces of sh!t in this state.
September 21st, 2006 at 1:04 pmSpudge (#30)–
Yeah, I thought about that after I posted the comment. But considering that California has (IIRC) the most cars of any state in the country, wouldn’t tightening the restrictions over a period of time (thus giving auto makers a chance to adapt) be a better solution?
Personally, I’d like to see all states adopt California’s tougher standards, and for the feds to get rid of the loophole-ridden MPG standards they require from auto makers — making, say, 35MPG mandatory for all passenger cars and 28 for all trucks (up to F150 size), rather than making it an average.
Granted, the free market should theoretically dictate the product offered, but car makers have proven that they really don’t give a damn about better fuel efficiency. Thus, something has to be done.
September 21st, 2006 at 1:19 pmThe auto makers make SUV’s because there is a demand for them. Auto companies, like any company, will make what there customers want. Funny how some of you are trying to blame a company for what we want.
September 21st, 2006 at 1:31 pmUnholy Moses,
September 21st, 2006 at 1:47 pmThe federal Govt, itself, has taken Cali to court over the emission laws that it has passed. Not the car companies. Follow the stench and see where it leads.
Auto makers can make SUVs. They can also make them hybrid or electric. No law against that yet.
September 21st, 2006 at 1:48 pmThe auto makers make SUV’s because there is a demand for them. Auto companies, like any company, will make what there customers want. Funny how some of you are trying to blame a company for what we want.
Comment by Roger_Roger
Yes, so much a demand that the Big 3 are losing money left and right, laying off workers by the thousnads and have no foreseeable profit on the horizon. But hey there’s a demand for the gas guzzlers. Funny how putting two and two together is so difficult for Repugs.
September 21st, 2006 at 1:50 pmBack in 2002, bushie was kaboshing emission laws that California was trying to get through.
September 21st, 2006 at 2:02 pmWhy is it you want the gov’t to do what the public obviously does not want done. If there are enough people that do not want SUV’s, and they don’t buy them, automakers won’t make them. No, don’t make the people responsible though… much better to go after the big, bad corporations.
September 21st, 2006 at 2:07 pmFunny how some of you are trying to blame a company for what we want.
Comment by Roger_Roger
You have never heard of publicity and marketing in the media, do you? So, now that you can afford a cell phone you really get along better and meet faster with your friends, right? Right. Cell phones, as a lot of other products, dont make your life easier. But now, you think they do.
September 21st, 2006 at 2:15 pmJuan+C, are you that dim and shallow that marketing companies are easily able to get you to buy their products when you don’t really want them?
September 21st, 2006 at 2:22 pmare you that dim and shallow that marketing companies are easily able to get you to buy their products when you don’t really want them?
Comment by Dale
Surprise! I will tell you a powerful media release that you surely bought: Saddam Hussein had to do with 9/11. How many gas masks, gallons of fuel, canned food, did you buy after 9/11?
September 21st, 2006 at 2:31 pmOk, probably you are not that dim or shallow: Ever thought Katie Holmes was a beautiful girl? There you have it.
But, lets complete the whole picture with a fantastic propaganda: US is the best nation in the world. Now, youre in, buddy. Welcome to the Matrix.
Soon, GM will supply you with your electric suv “made in china”.
Take your gas and shuv it, w.
September 21st, 2006 at 2:36 pm#42
Nope, never thought that Hussein had anything to do with 9/11. Didn’t stock up on anything after 9/11.
Katie Holmes? Uh, wouldn’t that be an opinion of mine? What’s that have to do with marketing or media manipulation? (Get back on your meds, please!)
As far as the US being the best nation… hmm, calls for another opinion. Mine happens to be yes, I think the US is the best nation: perfect? Hell no! But the best? Well, unless you can tell me ANY other country that has as many people trying to immigrate as we do (why would they come here if we weren’t the best).
September 21st, 2006 at 2:48 pmDale, could you spare us the name-calling and gratuitous flag-waving? Your Republican slip is showing.
September 21st, 2006 at 3:12 pm#45
Sorry, I’ll try to keep up with your high standards
September 21st, 2006 at 3:30 pmAnd gratuitous? Juan+C asked my opinion on whether or not the US is the best nation.
September 21st, 2006 at 3:41 pmThank you.
September 21st, 2006 at 3:46 pmHey, Juan+C, you said, “But, lets complete the whole picture with a fantastic propaganda: US is the best nation in the world. Now, youre in, buddy. Welcome to the Matrix. ”
If you don’t like it here, simply do as Ken Hamblim wrote a book about.
“Pick a better country”
Then move.
September 21st, 2006 at 3:47 pmWas this Thinkprogress’ way of announcing that there was no worthwhile news occurring anywhere on the planet worth reporting ?
September 21st, 2006 at 4:17 pmA frivilous, ill conceived lawsuit filed in the US ? EXTRA EXTRA.
If you think the U.S. isn’t the best nation, tell me what ones are better, and why?
Comment by Dale
Dale, I presented examples of how the media cant make you think what they want you to think. US is the best nation…why? Who said that? Which are the standards that this invisible, divine poll take into account? mmmm. Its your opinion based on what? Patriotism? Ok, so every country is the best for their countrymen. Since the dawn of your country, (I do not live in the US so I dont have to move, Douglas B) Ben Franklin, Jefferson and the other US founding fathers had this vision of this superpower. Thats ok with me, samoans can feel the same about their country for all I care. The thing is that youve been fed with patriotic symbolisms since you were born. Every 7th inning in baseball games, the national anthem is song (terribly, sometimes) and sometimes a few jets cruise the sky. Why? What some F-14´s has to do with baseball? Well, in fact, nothing but it serves to inflame your patriotism so you can keep eating hot-dogs, drinking coke and buying at the Gap. So you see what I tried to say? Im in no way being disrespectful with your way of life, Im questioning, as I question my own. But, if the TV tells me that Claudia Schiffer is the most beautiful girl in the world, because thats the western beauty standard, well, then the TV is wrong. If you think Nicaragua was saved by Reagan, the media lied; if you think Russia fell apart by Reagan, the media lied, if you think Hezbollah just kidnapped two jewish soldiers for no reason, the media lied. If you think its ok to have a big car cause it makes you look good and important, the media lied…you get the picture.
September 21st, 2006 at 4:41 pmWell, unless you can tell me ANY other country that has as many people trying to immigrate as we do (why would they come here if we weren’t the best).
Comment by Dale
Ok, economics 101. If you take the majority of the resources, then it is very likely that you have the best commodities or paid jobs (which is not true, but you are close). People from very poor countries, due to the fact that their resources are being plundered by mmmm… I world countries, are seeking to get to better places. Maybe if you knew what IMF and the WorldBank are demanding to III World Countries while asking nothing to the US, you will know why so many people are trying to get a job there. Its not because they want to be americans, I have to say. They just want to eat.
September 21st, 2006 at 4:50 pmHey juan c,that sure is a great argument!! i suppose i should make a comment about your mom or sister,right??
September 21st, 2006 at 6:46 pmdo you suggest i should sell my SUV and ride my trek y-22 to work everyday?
BTW,my truck has a 5.7 liter v8 with no catalytic converters!! HAHA! SUCK IT! and i also have a gmc jimmy and a gmc sierra pickup.
take your holier than thou hippy bullshit elsewhere
I think the lawsuits are silly and won’t amount to anything but a wedge issue. As posted above cars must pass EPA standards, very strict ones in states such as in California and Texas. The cars passed those tests and were sold.
The automakers are suffering because of their own mistakes..if they make cars people don’t buy who’s fault is that?
September 21st, 2006 at 10:14 pmdo you suggest i should sell my SUV and ride my trek y-22 to work everyday?
BTW,my truck has a 5.7 liter v8 with no catalytic converters!! HAHA! SUCK IT! and i also have a gmc jimmy and a gmc sierra pickup.
take your holier than thou hippy bullshit elsewhere
Maybe you should be the converters back on you seem to be have inhaled the fumes.
September 21st, 2006 at 10:19 pmthe auto makers are paying pensions and benifits of over $ 400 million a quarter to employees that are not there and produce nothing.
I say blame the G/D UAW, I am from Michigan and nothing pisses me off more than those union shit for brains that get paid $30 an hour to push a broom, and get all those cushy benefits and pension and retirement. then to hear a boo hoo I’m out of a job, what am I going to do now? ( you should have taken all that extra income and educated yourself ) Maybe to …say push more than a broom or a button, ,,,,,,, maybe a mop?
P.S. California is full of shit. they are wasting time and $.
September 23rd, 2006 at 12:37 pmToi
Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.
March 21st, 2008 at 2:20 pmGeneral Motors Retirement
Thanks for creating this blog. I thought it was a very interesting read. It is so interesting reading other peoples personal take on a subject.
April 14th, 2008 at 3:45 am