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Shame on Ford for 'Japanese vs. Domestic Hybrid Car' Rhetoric September 2004When will Michiganians realize that Detroits more-than-20-year-old Japanese versus domestics battle cry is worn out and ineffective when it comes to todays legislators and policymakers?In fact, such ethnic labeling can backfire, as it has in California, where a Los Angeles Times writer suggests Ford Motor Co. leaders are a bunch of girlie men, using Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers term, generally, for wimpy people. Heres the background: Ford Chairman and CEO Bill Ford sent a letter to California objecting to legislation allowing some gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles to use car pool lanes even if only the driver is inside. Using the old, 80s rhetoric, Ford told Schwarzenegger and lawmakers that the proposal amounts to a buy Japanese bill. Why? Because it will keep Fords new Escape Hybrid rated at 31 miles per gallon on the highway in the congested, noncar pool lanes, while solo travelers in Japanese-built hybrids such as Toyota Motor Co.p.s Prius and Honda Motor Co.s Insight will be rolling by in the diamond lanes because they meet the laws required minimum of 45 mpg. Did anyone in Dearborn realize or care that the Japanese comment might offend the bills co-author, George Nakano? Nakano is a U.S.-born Japanese-American from the Los Angeles area who spent four years in an internment camp in World War II. Did anyone consider that using the Japanese argument might not be well received in California, which has the largest Asian population in the country? Did Ford know that Nakano wants to buy an Escape Hybrid? Even after the letter, the lawmaker, who has been driving a Chevy SUV not a Toyota or a Honda wants one of Fords clean SUVs, according to Nakano spokesman David Fein. Nakano was not approached by Toyota or Honda to draft the legislation, Fein said. And Toyota hasnt raised a ruckus because its Lexus RX hybrid SUV, due next year, isnt expected to qualify for the car pool lanes either. Nakano simply has been a fan of car pool lanes pretty much as long as he has been in office, Fein said. Schwarzeneggers administration sponsored the bill, so the governors signature is a no-brainer. Spokeswoman Terri Carbaugh said the measure will focus attention on the most fuel-thrifty vehicles and encourage Californians to reduce oil use and pollution. Its not meant as a slap at Ford Motor, which has been active in environmental issues, she said. The next step will likely be a federal waiver to adjust the rules for car pool lanes on federal highways. I doubt the Japanese-versus-domestics argument will work on the feds either. | ||
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