California Says It Will Stop Buying Toyota, GM, Chrysler Vehicles Over Emissions Spat

This begs the question “why are they buying fossil fueled vehicles in the first place when they hate fossil fuels?”

California to stop buying GM, Toyota and Fiat Chrysler vehicles over emissions fight

California said on Monday it will halt all purchases of new vehicles for state government fleets from GM, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler and other automakers backing U.S. President Donald Trump in a battle to strip the state of authority to regulate tailpipe emissions.

Between 2016 and 2018, California purchased $58.6 million in vehicles from General Motors Co , $55.8 million from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV , $10.6 million from Toyota Motor Corp <7203.T> and $9 million from Nissan Motor Co <7201.T>.

Last month, GM, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler and members of the Global Automakers trade association backed the Trump administration’s effort to bar California from setting its own emission standards, which are significantly stricter than the Trump Administration proposal’s preferred option.

GM spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan said in a statement it was unfortunate that California will stop buying its electric Bolt.

“Removing vehicles like the Chevy Bolt and prohibiting GM and other manufacturers from consideration will reduce California’s choices for affordable, American-made electric vehicles and limit its ability to reach its goal of minimizing the state government’s carbon footprint, a goal that GM shares.”

So, what will they purchase? Honda doesn’t sell to government. You’re left with Ford, which doesn’t really make cars anymore, they are focused on SUVs and pickups. You could still go with the more expensive Lincoln and Buick. There’s also Nissan. Will the government of California start buying $125 thousand Teslas? Should they be buying any, though? How about Volkswagen?

Starting in January, the state will only buy from automakers that recognize California’s legal authority to set emissions standards. They include Ford Motor Co , Honda Motor Co <7267.T>, BMW AG and Volkswagen AG , which struck a deal with California in July to follow revised state vehicle emissions standards.

So, the list is down to Ford, which, again, really doesn’t make cars. Honda doesn’t sell to government in bulk or direct, though their Insight and Accord Hybrid would be perfect. BMW, which would be really expensive, and VW, which have high maintenance costs and cheated on emissions.

You also have to wonder why they are buying $100 million in cars yearly. Why are they not keeping the cars more than a year or two? Further, California is already having energy supply problems: how do they expect to charge the plugin vehicles?