National Launch of Rallies For Fuel Economy

Workers, Business Leaders and Elected Officials to Rally for Reasonable Vehicle Fuel Economy Standards

CHICAGO, Aug. 16, 2007 -- The following is being issued by UAW; Chrysler; Ford; GM:

  WHAT:   Auto workers, business leaders and elected officials will hold a
          demonstration in support of the bi-partisan Hill-Terry vehicle
          fuel economy bill -- H.R. 2927 -- calling for substantial
          increases in motor vehicle fuel economy regulations.  (The kick-
          off rally is in Chicago.  St. Louis is next week.)

  WHERE:  Federal Plaza, downtown Chicago

  WHEN:   10 a.m., Thursday, August 16, 2007

  WHO:    Speakers will include:

          -- U.S. Congressman Don Manzullo, Illinois 16th District
          -- United Auto Workers representatives
          -- Managers from area Ford and Chrysler plants
          -- Jerry Roper, President, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
          -- Frederic Brereton, Mayor of Belvidere

  WHY:    The Hill-Terry bill has growing support in Congress because it
          recognizes that cars and trucks have different transportation
          roles and should be regulated separately for fuel economy.  Its
          supporters say Hill-Terry is a reasonable approach to improved
          fuel economy because it sets tough standards but will save jobs
          and enable consumers to choose the vehicles they want and need.
          It is vital that the Hill-Terry bill prevails in the US House of
          Representatives in order to moderate the more onerous vehicle fuel
          economy provisions in the already-passed Senate energy bill.
          Those provisions would cost thousands of jobs, radically reduce
          consumers' vehicle choices and raise sticker prices by thousands.
          A Lehman Brothers study estimates the Senate provisions would
          require the production of large pickups and SUVs to be cut by 60%.

  Visuals:

          -- A couple hundred UAW and other workers are expected to be
             demonstrating.
          -- Petitions in support of Hill-Terry will be on display and will
             be delivered to district Congressional offices.
          -- B-roll of the threatened light trucks (pickups, vans, minivans
             and SUVs) depicting them in ways millions of Americans and
             businesses use them for carrying more than four passengers,
             heavy cargo, towing recreational vehicles, or for home
             improvement.

  Contact:   Jerry Lawrence
             312-932-2803