Area car dealers discuss fuel efficiency standards

GAINESVILLE - Federal standards for emissions and fuel efficiency were on the minds of three area car dealers Thursday.

Tim Hayes of Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep said that the timing for these new standards is not good, given the financial crisis the auto industry is facing.

"The fuel standards aren't going to be the problem," Hayes said. "It just doesn't feel right to dump that on somebody that's down."

Butch Miller with Milton Martin Honda agreed, saying there's still a need for larger vehicles that may not provide great fuel efficiency. Miller said it's not just for business, but for personal use.

"If they're willing to pay the price then in my mind that's their business," he said.

But Wayne Alexander with Hardy Chevrolet said there is one positive side to federal standards.

"It's the fact that it will supercede individual state requirements," Alexander said. "There were some state requirements that were pretty stringent."

All three men appeared Thursday morning on WDUN's Bill & Joel Morning Show.



DEALERS REACT TO PARENT COMPANIES' CLOSINGS

It's been a week since Chrysler and GM dealerships received word about their status with their parent companies.

Tim Hayes with Hayes Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Gainesville said the phones seemed to never stop ringing last week.

"And it's such a good feeling to have so many customers calling and concerned and worried about us," said Hayes.

The Hayes dealerships were not on the Chrysler "hit list." Hardy Chevrolet was also spared by GM.

Wayne Alexander with Hardy said he's hopeful the industry will rebound from its economic turmoil.

"The industry will be responsible to pay these back," Alexander said. "And as we're able to pay things back from an industry point of view, maybe we'll get government involvement out of the industry."