Senate Debates Efficient-Car Bill

The Senate Monday debated a bill that would require auto makers to produce more fuel-efficient cars in order to help America cut its dependence on foreign oil.

But opponents argued that legislation requiring cars to get an average 40 miles a gallon by the year 2001 would be a death blow to the mid-size family sedan and force auto makers to produce smaller, less safe vehicles.

“It means smaller cars; it means less safe cars,” declared Sen. Donald W. Riegle Jr. (D-Mich.), who has led efforts to block consideration of the measure.

The legislation’s supporters maintained that manufacturers have shown that they can come up with technologies to vastly improve fuel efficiency and still provide customers with a broad range of vehicle models.

Sen. Richard H. Bryan (D-Nev.), the measure’s chief sponsor, said passage of the bill would eventually save 2.8 million barrels of oil daily.

Similar legislation has been introduced in the House but has yet to come out of committee.