In some ways, doctors and mechanics do similar work: they keep a system running as best they can, and most people only visit their doctor/mechanic when there's a problem. There are good reasons to go before you have a problem, though, and both mechanics and doctors use the same words to describe this visit: "check ups." The National Automobile Dealers Association launched a new check up service this week that is supposed to make your car not only run smoother but also "save on gas and improve fuel economy." But, unlike most doctor services, this check up is free.

Available at 220 NADA members in 40 states, the "Green Checkup" campaign offers drivers a ten-point checklist of things that can help a car be a little less harsh on the environment. You can probably guess what these ten-points are (yes, tire pressure is one of them), but if you're interested in the complete list, it's available after the jump.

[Source: NADA]

Now that the NHTSA has outlined plans which would require the fleet of cars to reach 35.7 miles per gallon on average and light trucks to hit 28.6, we've heard many opinions regarding the regulations. The automakers seem content with the plans, just so long as the regulations are nationwide, not state-by-state. According to the NADA, car dealers will be going along with the notion as well. Andrew Koblenz, NADA vice president for legal and regulatory affairs said in a statement (pasted after the jump), "We are especially pleased to see this national approach to fuel economy start to take shape; it should be given a chance to succeed," adding that the regulation "stands in stark contrast to the California approach which is untested, fails to look at the impact on the national economy, limits consumer choice and ignores concerns about passenger safety."

NADA notes that the national standard would reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Koblenz calls the fuel economy target "aggressive," but suggests that it's for the good of the consumer in the long run.

As mentioned, General Motors' CEO Rick Wagoner has urged his dealers to oppose states which want to set their own greenhouse gas emissions regulations, which would go above and beyond what U.S. government regulations already require. "We need to work together to educate policymakers at the state and local levels on the importance of tough but national standards," he said, adding that GM would not "be able to accomplish everything that we otherwise could," if states set regulations which were different than the rest of the country. The response from the NADA group seems to agree with the GM corporate stance. Wagoner also suggested that car dealers and automakers should work together to help create an alternative fuel infrastructure which would allow more consumers access to ethanol and, eventually, hydrogen.

These remarks were made at the 2008 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) meeting in San Francisco. Dealers for huge automakers like GM are able to reach more local and state officials than GM is able to do itself, meaning that their lobbying efforts are very important. California has been setting their own regulations regarding fuel mileage for a while now, and it is true that meeting the state's regulations, along with those in the rest of the U.S., has been difficult at times.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Say hello to the newest government lobbying group: car salesmen! The AP is reporting that GM CEO Rick Wagoner asked car dealerships to lobby their state and local governments to not regulate tailpipe emissions. Here is exactly what Rick said in a speech at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) meeting in San Francisco attended by about 10,000 dealers and their spouses:

We're not going to be able to accomplish everything that we otherwise could. ... We need to work together to educate policymakers at the state and local levels on the importance of tough but national standards. ... Dealers are very effective in the political process because we don't have a plant in every state. ... We have dealers in every state.

Last year, Congress passed a new CAFE standard but California was denied a waiver to regulate tailpipe emissions in its state. California and other states are still fighting to get the waiver to regulate tailpipe emissions and if that happens, Rick says automakers will have to focus on meeting state regulations and won't be able to focus as much on alternative fuel vehicles.

Seems this is not the first time car dealerships might impact policy making. After the speech, Rick said car dealers were a valuable help in the CAFE debate in Congress last year. What's he talking about? Last year, in the middle of the debate on CAFE, NADA launched a website listing the number of light trucks sold sorted by political districts.

Car salesman/government lobbyist? I guess it's not really a stretch ... especially for used car salesmen.

Related:

• Rick Wagoner weighs in on fuel prices and Washington's involvement in alternative fuels
• Washington Auto Show videos: Car makers on senators, state regulators and CAFE
• More and more eco-thoughtful car dealerships coming to America

[Source: Associated Press]