DAILY RL	FILE' 

MM Michigan 

Manufacturers 

SMAssociatlon

1vi7'1\ N''^^TT1.T \1-\·^ıl''ii

^TIVESEG^;i-q,q^·,·

The Honorable Ray LaHood The Honorable Lisa Jackson 

Secretary Administrator 

Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20590 Washington, DC 20004 

Dear Secretary LaHood and Administrator Jackson: 

The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) would like to express our views regarding the national fuel 

economy standards and the future of Michigan's economy and the national economy. MMA represents 2,500 

companies in the full spectrum of manufacturing sectors and subsectors. Manufacturing represents the largest sector 

of the Michigan economy. The big three domestic automakers along with our substantial supplier base are 

significant contributors to Michigan's manufacturing based economy. The transportation sector is critical to the 

national economy as reflected in comments in the news release on June 24, 2011 for the first quarter of 2011 by the 

Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S Department of Commerce, saying "Motor vehicle output added 1.18 percentage 

points to the first-quarter change in real GDP...." 

Policies that impact the transportation sector will clearly have significant impact on the Michigan economy. Current 

standards for 2012-20 16 have already increased fleet average by 40% to 35 miles per gallon. Going forward, 

policies must continue to consider the global nature of the transportation sector, the competitive and economic 

implications of U.S. policies on Michigan and American based companies. Regulatory constraints also constrain 

consumer demand and ultimately sales in the transportation sector. The next phase of fuel economy standards should 

not pick wirmers and losers, but should support a variety of technologies and fuel diversity to preserve affordability. 

If fuel economy standards increase too quickly, resulting in more expensive vehicles, many of our region's 

consumers can be expected to hold on to their older vehicles longer and defer buying a new car, which could put 

jobs across the country at risk and delay compliance with federal air quality standards. Affordability, customer 

choice and job preservation is as much a priority as raising fuel economy. 

The Michigan economy is recovering, driven in large part by manufacturing investment and job growth. Fuel 

economy standards must not change the competitive field at a critical time in the early phases of an automobile and 

manufacturing driven recovery in Michigan and nationally. 

The MMA is a strong advocate for the manufacturing sector and we encourage you to recognize the irreplaceable 

contributions made to the Michigan and national economies by the transportation sector. Fuel economy standards 

must not hinder the growth of American based jobs and investment. While new technology and innovation drives 

investment and job growth, untimely and excessive regulation will drive investment and job growth elsewhere. We 

appreciate your thoughtful consideration. 

VP of Government Affairs 

620 South Capitol Avenue • Lansing, Michigan 48933-2308 • Phone: 517-372-5900 • Fax: 517-372-3322 • www.mma-net.org

Manufacturing focused. Member driven.
00 UNIT 

(D0