California Sues GM, Ford, Toyota Over Global Warming

BLADDER_MASTER · Sep 20, 2006

California Sues GM, Ford, Toyota Over Global Warming

By Karen Gullo and Alan Ohnsman

Sept. 20 (Bloomberg) -- 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.

The lawsuit filed today in U.S. District Court in Oakland said General Motors, Ford, Toyota Motor Corp., DaimlerChrysler AG, Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co., the six largest automakers in the U.S., have created a ``public nuisance'' by making millions of vehicles that emit huge quantities of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

The suit, which seeks damages related to pollution, beach erosion and reduced water supplies, is the latest action by California to push businesses and the federal government to address global warming. The legislature approved a measure last month to force utilities to cut emissions, and the state has sued the U.S. for failing to address the effects of global warming.

``Vehicle emissions are the single most rapidly growing source of the carbon emissions contributing to global warming, yet the federal government and the automakers have refused to act,'' said California Attorney General Bill Lockyer in a statement.

California has already targeted carmakers with rules that would require them to lower emissions. The state enacted rules in 2004 that would force them to cut the amount of carbon dioxide and other tailpipe gases by up to 30 percent in cars sold in the state. Several other states have adopted or are weighing similar rules.

Overturn

Edward Cohen, a spokesman for Honda, and Dave Barthmuss, a spokesman for General Motors, didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.

Automakers are suing to overturn these rules. Redesigning cars to address such restrictions would cost the industry billions of dollars, carmakers have claimed, especially in the California market. The state asked a federal court on Sept. 15 to throw the case out. The judge has yet to rule.

California legislators approved the toughest pollution limits in the U.S. last month, requiring utilities, oil refineries and other companies to cut emissions tied to global warming by 25 percent in the next 14 years. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican who is seeking re-election this year, said he supports the measure.

Burning Gasoline

Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of burning gasoline. Car companies say the only way to meet California's emissions rules is to reduce vehicle fuel consumption. They claim the state is trying to regulate fuel economy, or the number of miles a car runs on a gallon of gas, a standard which is set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Automakers including GM, Honda, and Toyota said they are developing so-called fuel-cell cars in response to consumer demand for better fuel economy amid higher gas prices. Fuel cells produce only water vapor as a byproduct.

The lawsuit is California v. General Motors, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZ4gr6yG.qto&refer=home

:furious:

Paolino · Sep 20, 2006

Friggin lame. I may not have any ground to stand on but it seems like California's Sate Gov't is acting like a bunch of damn babies. How the hell do you suecar companies for manufacturing something THE MASSES buy. The people are the ones buying the damn cars. Most of those companies, Toyota, Honda, and Ford (come to mind) Already manufacture hybrid vehicles. How many Californians are buying those? (Probably a lot, but not all of them) Shouldn't legislation be made concerning people not companies like this? The people that moved to california and bought their car in another state, is that Toyota's fault? Wow, I don't know but this really angers me.

I think it should be unconstitutional to force businesses to sell or make a certain product. Does that not sound a little socialistic to anyone? I'm a fan of free enterprise and of business.

I think developing alternative fuels etc is a great idea, but if those companies have to give up ANY amount of money to the state of California, then something is majorly screwed up here.

mburket · Sep 20, 2006

i thought only mother earth was already sueing them for this..... ok sorry for the horrible joke.

Mayur · Sep 20, 2006

Lame...cali is sueing major automakers for this??? They should friggin impeach arnold for driving around in hummers then. Dumbass californian government.

gotarheels03 · Sep 20, 2006

I dont take anything that happens in California seriously anymore. That state is so ass-backwards its amazing.

vortex · Sep 21, 2006

you know as well as i do, the carmakers got the legal notice on their desks and did the following:

*chuckle* "that's cute" *chuckle*

My03Tundra · Sep 21, 2006

You know what I'D do if I was one of the CEOs for one of the companies being sued? I'd discontinue any distribution of vehicles to California indefinitely. I wouldn't even bother with any countersuit. If California is this ass backwards, why sell in their state? Punish the people, and the goverment will feel the backlash from the people.

If three of the companies being "sued" did this, like Ford, GM and Toyota and stopped supporting warranties in California for ALL vehicles statewide there'd be ALOT of upset customers.

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California Sues GM, Ford, Toyota Over Global Warming

BLADDER_MASTER Active Member

Paolino SolidTuned

mburket Banned

Mayur Biggest trd whore in the whole wide world

gotarheels03 New Member

vortex Well-Known Member

My03Tundra ROLL OUT!

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California Sues GM, Ford, Toyota Over Global Warming

BLADDER_MASTER Active Member

Paolino SolidTuned

mburket Banned

Mayur Biggest trd whore in the whole wide world

gotarheels03 New Member

vortex Well-Known Member

My03Tundra ROLL OUT!

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