Ford. Going in reverse, fast.

Posted by jamess — 8 November 2010 at 7:09pm - Comments

Update: Over 6,000 emails to Ford bosses. Yet to receive a reply.

As the clock ticks down to some pretty important laws that could potentially save us millions of barrels in oil consumption (3.6m in the UK alone), one car manufacturer is doing its best to scupper this important legislation: Ford.

We've just heard from some high-level sources that Ford is pressuring Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, to weaken the UK's position on proposed European emissions targets.

Strong targets on vehicle emissions would benefit the environment, the climate and business - who wouldn't want lower fuel bills?

But Ford and other car giants are trying to argue that they can't make the technology changes in time, lobbying Cable and others in a persistent effort to dilute these targets.

The "technology changes take time" argument rings hollow, particularly when car manufacturers have reached the current targets years ahead of their legal deadline.

Last week, an astonishing 10,000 of you contacted Phillip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, to get him to stand firm on the UK position. We can't thank you enough.

Now we need you to contact Ford and send them a clear message to stay out of these important negotiations. Our politicians should answer to us, not to car company lobbyists.

We're currently doing an assessment of which car companies are the worst lobbyists, undermining your democratic voice while pushing back important laws. We'll keep you posted on how that goes. But for now, please send that email to Ford.

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