To SUV or to SUVlessnesshood Ahead
Dear Letters Editor, The Utah Statesman:
RE: To SUV-le$$-ne$$-hood-ville:
In addition to writing one’s government representatives in Washington, another way of getting auto manufacturers’ attention regarding the higher environmental inefficiencies and safety related drawbacks of the SUV and other vehicles, is for consumers to negotiate an “environmental impact deduction” of 3-5% or more off the auto manufacturer’s invoice price to the dealer. This is important for SUVs and other large inefficient and fossil fuel-intensive vehicles.
By imposing a cost to the manufacturer for taking advantage of the SUV product line and inflated profitability without concern for the environment and public health and safety, and by donating this deduction to a front-line environmental protection organization, we may be able to help the auto market self-correct.
Otherwise, SUVs and other vehicles will become more efficient and consumer responsive when the auto industry dictates. With a little consumer assertiveness, all automobiles can be made safer, more efficient, and less damaging to our environment with little additional costs to consumers, with currently available technologies.
A 2000 report by JD Powers & Associates, found that only half of new vehicle consumers obtain the manufacturer’s invoice price to the dealer and negotiate the dealer’s profit or mark-up. And, few of us even consider negotiating the auto manufacturer’s profit on auto unit sales. It may be time for consumers to help the market become more consumer responsive.
Additionally, since SUVs currently on the road will likely be egesting millions of tons of pollution into our air until the cows stop coming home, the carless, SUV owners, and other autos may wish to consider writing to auto makers directly and pleading a case for more consumer respectful and environmentally responsible vehicle design and production to protect the safety and health of our families, friends. and communities.
Three auto makers addresses include:
Bill Ford Chairman and CEO Ford Motor Company P.O. Box 6248 Dearborn, MI 48126
Dieter Zetsche CEO Chrysler Corporation PO Box 21-8004 Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004
Rick Wagoner President and CEO General Motors Corporation 300 Renaissance Center PO Box 300 Detroit, MI 48265-3000
Other personal consumption and auto use choices that may help to mitigate SUV and all vehicular impacts on our environment include:
Practicing random acts of carlessnesshood. Going carless. Walking more. Bicycling more. Bussing it more. Trains, too. Linking-trips. Sharing the car and the drive. Driving less. Revaluing and paying less for all cars. Buying down or smaller and greener, and renting up or larger only when needed. Basing mode on trip distance. Supporting auto-alternatives for others. Supporting anti-sprawl land-use development measures. Demanding more environmentally responsible vehicles, if not voluntarily by the industry, then by government regulation.
We all contribute to environmental pollution. We all need to work to minimize and mitigate our environmental impacts.
Sincerely, Rand Knox rknox@autobuyology.org POB 150763 San Rafael, CA 94915-0763 (415) 457-0592