Ford Australia against fuel economy regulation

FORD Australia president Marin Burela has spoken out against proposals to enforce mandatory average fuel economy and emission standards in Australia.

“We don’t think that mandatory targets work,” he said.

“We believe that industry self-imposed standards are the ones that really make the difference. I firmly believe that it is the industry’s responsibility to lead this change, it can’t just come as a dictate coming from somewhere.”

As reported by GoAuto, public servants are believed to be preparing to recommend to federal and state ministers that there is a case for fuel efficiency and/or emissions standards in Australia that would come on top of any possible emissions trading scheme penalties.

Mr Burela said introducing regulations for new fuel-efficiency standards were not needed as Australian car-makers were moving forward anyway.

“What that does is create a perception that the industry is not genuinely interested in moving the game along in terms of where it needs to be both socially and responsibly,” he said.

“I know what my company and I are doing to move the game along. You guys know what GM is doing and I’m sure you are aware of some of the things that Toyota is doing.”

Mr Burela said the industry would drive fuel efficiency advancements without regulation.

“I think an industry driven change is the one that can work the best, every single time, there is no question about that,” he said.

“I have made our position clear to the FCAI (Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries) and other authorities as we have engaged in this debate over the last few months, but I guess we will just have to wait and see.”

Mr Burela said Ford Australia would prefer to proceed without new fuel and emission standards, but said it would comply with such a regime if introduced.

“Whatever it is it will be,” he said. “We have a plan, we are working on that plan and our plan is working. It is delivering results.”

As previously reported, the FCAI has spoken out against any new fuel economy and emissions standards that might be being developed.

FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar told GoAuto that separate emissions standards on top of the proposed emissions trading scheme would only increase costs unnecessarily.

“Mandatory emissions standards would overlap with an emissions trading scheme (ETS) and only lead to significantly higher costs across the industry for the same outcome,” he said.

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