GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Fiat Side With Trump in Fuel Efficiency War Against California

Now, major automakers including General Motors, Kia and Toyota are throwing their weight behind the Trump administration in the legal battle over whether or not California can set its own standards under the Clean Air Act, The Hill reported Monday.

The automakers, joining under the banner of the Coalition for Sustainable Automotive Regulation, filed their motion on behalf of the administration Monday. They are supporting the administration against California and 22 other states who sued in September to stop the federal government from revoking California’s waiver to set its own tailpipe emissions standards.

“Historically, the industry has taken the position that federal government is the sole purview of fuel economy,” John Bozzella, president and CEO of industry group Global Automakers and coalition spokesperson, said, as The Hill reported.

California leaders responded with anger to the automakers’ decision. State Senator Scott Wiener noted that the announcement came as the state was battling massive wildfires.

“Toyota, GM & Chrysler have great timing: moving to overturn California’s auto emission standards as our state burns due to climate change & the irresponsible policies that fuel it,” he tweeted. “Let’s remember this selfish corporate betrayal.”