Big four back Trump on California emissions challenge

General Motors, Toyota, Hyundai and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and other major vehicle manufacturers appear to support the Trump administration’s bid to stop California’s fuel efficiency and zero-emission standards.

All announced this week they are filing to intervene on behalf of the Trump administration after California and 22 other states sued in September to undo the administration’s move to block California from setting such rules, Reuters reports.

A backlash is expected from those opposed to the administration’s aim, although some other vehicle makers such as Ford, Honda and Volkswagen AG which earlier announced a voluntary deal with California on emissions rules are not expected to join the intervention attempt.

California introduced the right to set its own vehicle exhaust pollution rules with the 1970 Clean Air Act.

Global Automakers president and chief executive officer John Bozzella, who is also a spokesperson for the Coalition for Sustainable Automotive Regulation, says the move to back the Trump administration on the issue is not an indication of support for Trump’s expected final emissions standard but rather to keep the automotive manufacturers involved as the issue goes through court procedures.

He says all parties agreed in 2010 to one national set of rules, which California steered away from.

Reports suggest the latest move could split the automotive manufacturing industry.