FOR AUTOMAKERS, HIGHER MPG = HIGHER PROFITS

摘要

Automakers, and especially Detroit's Big Three, will see greater sales and profits from stronger federal fuel economy standards. That's what a recent report by Citi Investment Research, in collaboration with Ceres, found. It looked at what Washington's plans to boost fuel economy standards to 54.5 mpg by 2025 would mean for the industry in 2020. The analysis found that in 2020, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler could look forward to a 6 percent hike in profits - an extra $2.44 billion - under the proposed standards. Foreign automakers would also benefit. They can expect a 5 percent rise in profits - an extra $2.31 billion in 2020. As gas prices continue to rise, better mileage drives sales. Customers want cars that go farther on a gallon of gas. In fact, Kelley Blue Book's latest consumer survey found that 66 percent of people shopping for new cars are taking rising gas prices into account. Some shoppers are changing their minds about what vehicle to buy. Others say they're considering more fuel-efficient cars they haven't considered before.