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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) introduced the Vehicle Innovation Act, legislation that will promote investments in research and development of clean vehicle technologies that will create more fuel-efficient vehicles, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and support American auto manufacturers and suppliers. Dingell recently announced the bill at Leggett and Platt Commercial Vehicle Products in Taylor, Michigan along with Senator Gary Peters, who introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

“Michigan has always been a leader in the automotive industry, and our vehicle suppliers and manufacturers are already driving the future of high-tech, energy-efficient vehicles,” said Dingell. “The Vehicle Innovation Act will keep that progress going by building on successful research programs to improve vehicle efficiency – saving consumers money at the pump, improving our energy security and keeping the U.S. and Southeast Michigan at the forefront of vehicle innovation. I am proud to work with Senator Peters on this critical legislation that will ensure the cars and trucks of the future continue to be produced here in Michigan.”

“The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) applauds Rep. Dingell for today’s introduction of the Vehicle Innovation Act,” said Steve Handschuh, President and Chief Executive Officer, of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association. “This legislation encourages public-private partnerships that help motor vehicle suppliers innovate and develop new vehicle technologies for cars and trucks to be more fuel efficient with lower emissions. The programs in this bill will support domestic research and manufacturing activities and lead to greater consumer choice of vehicle technologies.”

“The work truck industry relies on research and development of advanced technologies to compete in a global marketplace and continue to meet the needs of vocational truck owners and fleet managers,” said Steve Carey, Executive Director of NTEA-the Association for the Work Truck Industry. “NTEA thanks Representative Dingell for her leadership on this effort, which will drive research and promote public-private partnerships that will help the industry deploy more alternatively fueled trucks and support good paying jobs in Michigan and across the country.”

“The Auto Alliance welcomes introduction of the Vehicle Innovation Act of 2015 by Representative Debbie Dingell,” said Mitch Bainwol, Auto Alliance President & CEO. “Long-term efforts to address our nation’s energy security and environmental concerns will require the mass market commercialization of advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles. Automakers and our suppliers are focused on the introduction and deployment of these fuel-efficient vehicles. This legislation will help support these ongoing efforts as well as the research and design of the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicle technologies. We appreciate Rep. Dingell’s hard work on this important issue.”

The Vehicle Innovation Act reauthorizes the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, which works with manufacturers and suppliers to research, develop and deploy advanced vehicle technologies that improve energy efficiency. Just this week the Vehicle Technologies Office announced a research partnership with the University of Michigan to study connected vehicles and whether they can help people drive more efficiently. The bill also provides the Department of Energy with clear direction to build on successful research programs, such as the SuperTruck program that has produced a model tractor trailer with 115 percent increase in fuel efficiency, and encourages the development and use of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications systems that have the potential to improve fuel efficiency and reduce traffic congestion.