Conversation matters: an interview with Adam Lee.

• Author: Inglehart, Caitlin
• Position: Interview

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Adam Lee is president of Lee Auto malls in Maine, a business of 11 auto dealerships his family has owned for three generations. Last spring, Lee surprised many in the auto industry when he testified at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hearing, urging officials to grant California's application to implement regulations limiting greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles. CLF's Web and Publications Manager, Caitlin Inglehart, recently spoke with Adam to learn more about his message:

As you have noted before, this is very much a two-part issue affecting your business--one of global warming and one of cost. Which do you think consumers have been or are more influenced by? Has this changed over the years?

It's an affordability issue that's at the forefront of everyone's mind. While most people want a fuel-efficient car, they don't want to give up their carrying capacity. I think now, more than ever, everyone is aware of fuel efficiency. The difference now is that not only do most people recognize the issue of global warming, they see it as a drastic problem. I think most people want to have more fuel-efficient cars; it just comes back to the affordability and accessibility of them.

What kinds of responses have you received from others in the auto industry? What kinds of responses from consumers?

I've received very little from people in the business. I think most dealers think I'm nuts and dismiss it. I've received tons ore-mails and calls from people who are supportive. The one that meant the most to me was from a GM worker. In it he says: "It is high time someone ... spoke up about the auto company's stubbornness in implementing higher fuel economy standards and being more concerned about protecting the environment.... Nothing is ever said about new technologies being created and new jobs springing forth from these newly created technologies. Bravo, Mr. Lee!" Here's a guy who works at building GM cars and he's worried about his job, and he's supporting what I have to say.

Given the amount of time it takes to design and develop new car models, and given how much foot-dragging the auto industry is doing to halt any substantial progress on the issue, is it likely domestic manufacturers will ever catch up to foreign manufacturers on fuel efficiency?

I don't think the Detroit 3 will EVER catch up to Toyota. Are they likely to gain ground? I think so. They're good manufacturers, and they're better than they were...