New Emissions Changes May Not Be Safe

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Story Published: May 20, 2009 at 4:52 PM PST

By Melissa Wagner

The President announced his fuel economy and emissions initiative Tuesday. And in less than 24 hours, it hit a sour note with the auto industry who says President Obama hasn't given enough thought to the impact it will have on safety.

The initiative would tack on another $13,000 in consumer costs, to cars made under under the new guidelines. The President says buyers will make up the difference at the pump. But that's if the government's gas price projections stay the course. And that's a big if.

The GM with Bud Clary Toyota says he doesn't like the idea of his customers having to pick up the extra costs to make vehicles more fuel efficient, that should fall to the government. But he says he's even more concerned about their overall safety. " When you start trying to lighten up a car to get better fuel economy then what happens is you risk the safety features that are involved in a car. A lot of manufacturers are going to have to be doing these types of items to get their cars to do 35-36, even 40 miles to the gallon," says Rick Johnson, General Manager.

Toyota touts the most fuel efficient cars already, but will still have to make some changes to meet compliance. And those changes have to be done in just under 7 years.

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