General Motors is backing away from its support of the Trump administration’s attempts to bar California from setting its own emissions rules.
It was back in October 2019 that General Motors joined the likes of Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, Kia, Subaru, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and others in supporting the Trump administration’s attempts to stop California settings its own fuel-efficiency rules and zero-emission requirements for vehicles. California, as well as 22 other states, challenged the Trump move.
Fast forward to November 2020 and General Motors says it is withdrawing its support for litigation against California and has thrown its support behind President-elect Joe Biden.
Read Also: This Is What A Joe Biden Presidency Means For The Auto Industry
“President-elect Biden recently said, ‘I believe that we can own the 21st century car market again by moving to electric vehicles.’ We at General Motors couldn’t agree more,” a letter signed by chief executive Mary Barra said. “We are inspired by the President-elect’s Build Back Better plan which outlines a clear intention to expand vehicle electrification in the United States, create one million jobs, install 550,000 charging stations and position American auto workers and manufacturers to win the race for electrification.”
“Last week, we announced that we will launch 30 new EVs globally by 2025, and two-thirds of those vehicles will be in the U.S. We also committed more than $27 billion in planned EV and (autonomous vehicle) product spending — exceeding GM’s combined gas and diesel investments for the first time.”
While it’s hardly a surprise to see General Motors make an about-face on this issue and show its support for the incoming President, it is ironic. Upon revealing its support for the Trump administration’s view on California last year, General Motors drew the ire of many California officials and environmental groups, Reuters reports.
