President and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Bob McKenna participated in an Aug. 3 energy roundtable hosted by Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) at Automation Alley in Troy, Mich., which focused on current work being done to create more fuel efficient vehicles and vehicle technologies; how the transition to more fuel efficient vehicles will impact manufacturers and suppliers; federal program available to assist with research and development, and legislation that would improve existing program.
Carol Browner, assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change also took part in the roundtable.
It was followed by a product demonstration that featured vehicles with the latest fuel-efficient technology for passenger cars and commercial trucks.
"Discussions like these are critical to moving forward on technology that will improve vehicle fuel efficiency," McKenna says. "Parts suppliers are essential to the development of new products and we are very pleased to be working with both Congress and the Administration on efforts to move these technologies forward."
McKenna also stated MEMA's support for H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, introduced by Rep. Peters, which would authorize federal research and development activities at the Department of Energy (DOE) for advanced passsenger car technologies and for medium- and heavy-duty commercial truck technologies. The legislation would focus on both near term and long-range technologies that will improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, support domestic research and manufacturing, and lead to greater consumer choice of vehicle technologies and fuels. As part of the research through the bill, DOE will carry out the research in partnership or collaboration with several industries including motor vehicle suppliers.
McKenna also encouraged Congress to examine incentives for consumers to perform essential repair and maintenance to their vehicles to improve fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions.
MEMA represents motor vehicle parts suppliers, the nation’s largest manufacturing sector, employing 686,000 people across the country. Suppliers are also the largest manufacturing employer in eight states. These jobs contribute to 3.29 million private sector jobs across the country. Suppliers manufacture the parts and technology used in domestic production of new cars and trucks produced each year, and the aftermarket products necessary to repair and maintain more than 247 million vehicles on the road today.
MEMA supports its members through its three affiliate associations, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).
