The automotive industry is an expansive, complex, and intricate machine that involves the work of hundreds of thousands of people. Building new and exciting vehicles takes time, money, and hard work, and often automakers are on tight development schedules when releasing new models. One necessity in getting a vehicle from idea to real-world product is earning its U.S. EPA certification. Vehicles without the certification run afoul of government regulations and cannot be sold. And getting that certification is difficult to do when the federal government is shut down.
While the U.S. government is back open for business, another extended government shutdown could hamper the rollout of new models in the U.S.
The previous shutdown, which only ended last Friday, delayed final certification of the Ram 3500 pickup. Neither Ford Nor GM had any vehicles delayed as of yet; however, Ford officials told the publication that if the government shutdown had lasted another 30 days, it would have seen product delays.
“Like other automakers, we are currently awaiting decisions in the certification process for a few model year 2019 and 2020 vehicles,” GM spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan told Reuters.
What could delay new vehicles hitting the market is another government shutdown, which is something President Trump is signaling is possible. Last week, Congress and President Trump agreed to at least temporarily reopen the government for three weeks while legislators hammer out the details on border security funding. Trumps is demanding allocation for a wall on the southern border; however, such a proposal that would include the funding he’s seeking is unlikely. If a funding bill crosses his desk without appropriations for the wall, Trump probably won’t sign it, again forcing a government shutdown and closing government agencies such as the EPA.
“As the shutdown continues, these certification delays will affect U.S. vehicle production. Consumers will also not have access to the latest technologies and sales could decline as a result,” industry trade group Global Automakers told Reuters during the most recent shutdown. The last thing we need is a government shutdown to (further) delay something like the mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette.
Comments
And………no one seems to care given the lack of comments (besides mine).
Reality is President Trump gave 21-days for the Democrats in Congress to negotiate in good faith with him. That is in addition to the extension he provided them earlier and for which he has very been flexible as the Commander in Chief. If they refuse to cooperate and only obstruct, which seems like their only tactic these days, then the government shutdown ends and the Wall is built. Period.
Again, no amount of scaremongering about “oh, no, no EPA certifications for vehicles” will work. The clock is ticking…Let’s hope the Democrats in Congress compromise and work positively on behalf of the American people. The American people are not stupid and see who is working in good faith and who is not.
How the author can improve his writing:
(1) “Last week, Congress and President Trump agreed to at least temporarily reopen the government for three weeks while legislators hammer out the details on border security funding.”
— President Donald Trump and the House of Representatives (which is controlled by the Democrats not “Congress” which also includes the Senate which is controlled by the Republicans and will sign the president’s bill). President Trump, not “Congress”, offered to re-open parts of the government for 21 days so he could negotiate with the House.
(2) “Trumps is demanding allocation for a wall on the southern border; however, such a proposal that would include the funding he’s seeking is unlikely. If a funding bill crosses his desk without appropriations for the wall, Trump probably won’t sign it, again forcing a government shutdown and closing government agencies such as the EPA.”
– First, it is “Mr. Trump” (proper writing etiquette when referring to a head of state) and not “Trumps is”…syntax error to boot…True, Mr. Trump is asking for funding for the Wall which has popular support amongst Americans (79% in the latest poll), but they are still negotiating so you can’t be certain of what he will or won’t decide. Interestingly, you do confirm that Democrats in the House are not going to consider compromising or coming to a mutual decision. That is unfortunate because Americans are looking for compromise, but again it is a negotiation.
Let’s hope the House can compromise with the President’s offer and get the government back open.