Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) today sent letters to His Excellency, Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki of Japan, and United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk urging that Japan use the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) combined fuel economy rating when certifying a U.S.-manufactured vehicle for eligibility in the Japanese fleet modernization, or Eco-cars, program. 

“The combined rating is the most balanced, fair, and accurate measurement of a vehicle’s fuel economy,” said Dingell.  “It is therefore the most appropriate criteria to use to assess eligibility for Japan’s fleet modernization program.” 

On January 19, 2010, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) announced it would deem eligible for the Eco-cars program vehicles imported into Japan under the Preferential Handling Procedure (PHP) that does not require them to pass Japanese fuel efficiency tests. All U.S.-made vehicles are imported into Japan under PHP, and prior to METI’s January 19th announcement, no U.S.-made vehicles were eligible under Japan’s Eco-cars program.  These cars will now be considered based on mileage data collected by the EPA.  The Agency measures city, highway, and combined fuel economy, of which the combined value is the most accurate measurement of the vehicles fuel economy performance. 

METI is currently considering which of three EPA measures of fuel economy it should employ to certify a PHP vehicle’s eligibility for the Eco-cars program.