Eco-Driving Promoted By Automakers, Governator

The Detroit News reports on a truce between the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, an automaker trade group, and two advocates of more-stringent vehicle emissions regulations, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter. After a series of public battles over stiffening regulations, including a May meeting where Schwarzenegger told auto executives to "stop whining" and meet new standards that should have gone into effect in 2002, the parties have all decided that a consumer-education Web site is the best way to curb fuel usage. Ah-nold's step-by-step instructions for saving the planet, after the jump. More »

Cheney Accused of Conspiring Against California Emissions Law

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California Denied Bid For Stricter Emissions, Schwarzenegger Will Be Back

What do you get for the auto industry that just sucked up a new fuel economy bill? A book? Maybe some nice chocolates? If you're President Bush why not deny California's bid to impose stricter auto emissions, thereby discouraging other states from doing the same? As we mentioned in our guide to emissions laws, states have to apply for waivers if they want laws different from the federal statutes. Automakers are pleased as punch regarding the decision, while the Californian Gov and environmentalists are a little peeved (and ready to sue). Full press release from the Governator below the jump. More »

Ahnuld Crashes, Has Wrong License

Bumbeck once told us a story that a friend of his who was a PA on the set of Batman and Robin related to him. Apparently, the future-Governator was standing on set in full Mr. Freeze gear, huffing on a stogie when the PA approached him to let him know that smoking wasn't permitted in that area. The blue-painted Schwarzenegger simply replied, "And you're going to stop me?" Apparently, PAs and DMVs are all the same to the actor-politician, as Ahnuld got nicked for riding a motorcycle without the proper license after a minor traffic accident in Brentwood. Somebody cue the Priest. We're feelin' a "Breaking the Law" moment coming on. More »

Nearly Half of California's Vehicle Fleet Missing?

When Herr Schwarzenegger comissioned an inventory of the state of California's fleet vehicles, a surprising fact popped up: 30,000 of 70,000 cars and trucks and things that go could not be accounted for. One state agency recently bought $4 million worth of new vehicles, but had no idea where they were purchased. Losing a couple grand during a lost weekend at a strip club is bad enough, California; have you become so debauched that you're now blacking out while spending millions? More »

Governator Signs Car Buyer's Bill of Rights

The Last Action Hero signed new legislation yesterday that will allow buyers of used cars to purchase the option of having up to 48 hours to return them to the dealer for a refund, minus a restocking fee. The new law also sets caps on on financing package markups, as well as a number of other consumer-protection rules relating to the purchase of used cars in the state. More »