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UAW-made diesel vehiclesChevrolet Express Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Dodge Sprinter Van Ford E-Series Ford F-250/F-350 XL, XLT, Lariat GMC Savana G2500/G3500 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD Hummer H1 Jeep Liberty Diesel SUV Not your dad’s dieselsIt’s time to clear the air about diesels. Most people consider the diesel engines loud, stinky and pollutant-spewing rattletraps. Well, that was your dad’s diesel. The new diesel passenger cars and light trucks hitting showrooms over the next few years represent a revolution in diesel technology. And coupled with the new EPA-mandated ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, they are among the emerging green technologies bridging the gap until hydrogen fuel cells become viable. How clean is this new technology? According to the Diesel Technology Forum Web site, it would take 60 trucks with 2007 standards to equal the emissions from one 1988 diesel truck. New fuel standards for all cars and trucks go into effect in June. The new standard calls for fuel with a sulfur content of 15 parts per million (ppm) or less – that’s a huge reduction from the 500 ppm now allowed. Right now diesel engines are available only on some big pickups and SUVs, but we’ll start seeing diesel passenger cars next year. In Europe more than 50 percent of the new cars purchased are diesels. Like gas-electric hybrids diesel cars cost $2,000 to $5,000 more than a regular gasoline vehicle. But there may be consumer tax credits for diesels similar to those for hybrids. The UAW is lobbying Congress to provide incentives to manufacturers linked to investments to produce fuel-saving technologies in the United States. Production of clean diesel engines would balance the reduction of gas engine production as more diesels are sold. Light-duty (consumer) diesels use 20 percent to 40 percent less fuel than similarly sized gasoline engines, depending on the type of vehicle and driving conditions, according to the Forum site. And while most diesel fuel is processed from petroleum, biodiesel is made from renewable sources such as vegetable oils. Ironically, though diesel has a dirty image from the past, it will play a key role in helping us clean up the environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. |
Marshall Plan for the auto industryAmerican auto manufacturing is at a crossroads, and the UAW is a key player in how changes will impact workers. At the UAW Community Action Program Legislative Conference in February, President Ron Gettelfinger unveiled the union’s legislative priorities for 2006. At the top of the list was the effort to create a Marshall Plan for the U.S. automotive industry. The idea is to implement a comprehensive strategy to help rebuild the industry just as the original Marshall Plan helped rebuild Europe after World War II. The United States has lost 200,000 auto jobs in the last five years. Up to 60,000 more jobs are at stake based on the announced plans of General Motors and Ford Motor Co. The union is fighting to save these jobs. The UAW Marshall Plan includes two key elements: • Stop U.S. jobs from going overseas by creating incentives for auto and parts makers to retool and expand facilities to build the flexible-fuel and advanced-technology vehicles of the future. • Level the playing field between the Big Three auto companies and the foreign transplants, especially relating to retiree health care costs. |
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