Personal Vehicles

As individuals, the biggest contribution we can make in the efforts to fight global climate issues is our choice of personal transportation. In this article, we are going to take a look at some recent news in the world of personal vehicles which will have an impact on which cars you may choose to get you from Willowdale real estate to your office downtown every day.

The United States and Emission Standards

Perhaps the biggest piece of news in the world of personal vehicles and the environment is the announcement by the United States government that it expects all vehicles produced in the country to average 35.5 miles per gallon within the next six years. The plan received widespread support from both environmental groups and auto dealerships who have been looking for a good chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney. California environmentalists and Michigan plant managers alike agreed that the new plan would satisfy everyone with a stake in the auto industry.

In Canada, we like to believe that the differences between us and the US are as vast as those between baseball and hockey, real estate Kitsilano and Rhode Island. However, when it comes to the auto industry, what impacts the States will inevitably impact us. While the American regulations don`t have to be adhered to by Canadian companies, it`s likely that the plants here will follow suit simply for ease of production purposes.

Where the new regulations will impact the individual the most (aside from the long term survival of the planet) is in the pocket book. It`s expected that every time a customer puts their custom license plate frame on a new car after the legislation, the average price will be up by as much as $1300. Supporters point out that the extra prices will be covered through gas savings, although it seems likely that gas prices will go up as overall sales fall.

Ford Leaving SUVs Behind?

Government regulation is not the only thing driving car companies towards more environmentally friendly products. The spirit of competition and a rising interest in green cars have apparently prompted Ford out of its decades long lethargy. The company is re-designing an important Michigan plant, which had built Ford Sports Utility Vehicles, in order to make it conducive to the production of smaller vehicles including an electric version of the Focus.

In fact, Ford is close to the top when it comes to the car companies most interested in developing vehicles which are not only environmentally friendly, but reflect the concerns of consumers in terms of operating costs as well. The company was second only to Honda in 2008 when it came to registering patents for electric vehicles. This is good news for Michigan real estate agents, Toronto auto workers, and anyone else who has a stake in the domestic vehicle market!