Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers "Hummer Tax"
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) is said to be considering adjusting registration fees skyward for large, gas-guzzling vehicles while discounting the same for fuel-saving models. The controversial legislation has earned the nickname “Hummer Tax” since it is rather obviously geared towards large SUVs like those sold by GM’s struggling HUMMER division. Opponents to the plan warn that the charges could have a disproportionately large impact on large families and small business owners that rely on large vehicles to perform their daily routines. On the other hand, proponents for the legislation highlight the fact that it’s technology neutral, meaning that any vehicle that manages to save fuel over its competitors would qualify for the savings, regardless of what kind of fuel or technology is being used. There are also movements within the current Massachusetts administration that hope to raise the state’s gas tax or increase the price of tolls. One problem with a gas tax increase is that the move towards more fuel efficient vehicles would lower the amount of income the state is taking in, so an alternative plan would tax drivers based on mileage driven. [Source: The Boston Globe ] Auto Blog: HUMMER , Legislation and Policy , Green Daily , USA Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers “Hummer Tax” originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers "Hummer Tax"
Writing on the wall: GM shutters high-performance vehicle division
How does GM prove to the U.S. government that it can be a viable company again? By ditching high-performance vehicles. In the Viability Plan/$16.6 billion request submitted to Congress this week, GM said it would focus on eco-friendly cars and hyped up the Volt in many ways. The flipside of this is that GM’s High Performance Vehicle Operations team was disbanded. That means that development of cars like the low-volume Chevrolet Cobalt SS (above), the HHR SS and the V-series Caddies have been stopped. Engineers from the HPVO will move to other products in the Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet and Pontiac lineup. Maybe, GM says, if GM gets back on its feet, the HPVO unit might be pulled back together. Let’s hope that if it does, the meaning of “performance” will equal green, not just fast. [Source: Automotive News (subs req'd), Autoblog ] Auto Blog: Etc. , GM , Green Daily Writing on the wall: GM shutters high-performance vehicle division originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Writing on the wall: GM shutters high-performance vehicle division
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