Trump wants tiny Japanese-style cars for US even as he cuts mpg goals
In a striking display of policy inconsistency, the Biden administration’s approach to fuel economy standards in the automotive sector has raised eyebrows, particularly in light of recent developments that echo the previous Trump administration’s controversial decisions. Just under a year into his second term, former President Trump has announced plans to further roll back fuel economy standards, moving beyond the already lenient targets set during his initial presidency. This decision comes after the Obama administration had aimed to raise the average corporate fleet fuel economy to an ambitious 50.4 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2026, a target that was ultimately abandoned in favor of the Trump-era standards of 40.4 mpg. This shift highlights a broader trend of fluctuating environmental policies that seem to lack a coherent long-term strategy.
Adding to the confusion, during the announcement of these rollbacks, President Trump made an unexpected pivot by expressing his fondness for Japanese Kei cars—small, efficient vehicles that have gained popularity in Japan. He instructed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to explore making these compact cars street-legal in the United States, a move that seems at odds with the administration’s simultaneous efforts to weaken fuel economy standards. This juxtaposition raises questions about the administration’s overall vision for the automotive industry and its commitment to environmental sustainability. With automakers already feeling the pressure from shifting regulations, the mixed messages from the White House could lead to further uncertainty in the market.
The automotive industry is at a crossroads, caught between the push for innovation and the tug of regulatory rollback. Automakers had previously invested heavily in meeting the stricter standards set by the Obama administration, only to see those efforts undermined by the Trump administration’s policies. Now, with the latest announcements, the industry faces yet another period of adjustment. As the U.S. navigates these conflicting directives, the future of fuel economy standards remains uncertain, leaving consumers and manufacturers alike to wonder what the next chapter will bring for the automotive landscape.
It’s been less than a year into the second Trump administration, and to many outside observers, US government policies appear confusing or incoherent. Yesterday provided a good example from the automotive sector. As has been widely expected, the White House is moving ahead with plans to significantly erode fuel economy standards, beyond even the permissive levels
that were considered OK
during the first Trump term.
Yet at the very announcement of that rollback, surrounded by compliant US automotive executives, the president decided to go
off piste
to declare his admiration for
tiny Japanese Kei cars
, telling Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to make them street-legal in the US.
50.4 mpg
40.4 mpg
34.5 mpg
A little over a decade ago, the Obama administration announced new fuel economy standards for light trucks and cars that were meant to go into effect this year, bringing the corporate fleet fuel economy average
up to 50.4 mpg
. As you can probably tell, that didn’t happen. It wasn’t a popular
move with automakers
, and the first Trump administration ripped up those rules and instituted new, weaker targets of just
40.4 mpg by 2026
.
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