“Taken for a Ride”: Unmasking Detroit’s auto giants and their decades-long pollution playbook

[rangerrebew]

“Taken for a Ride”: Unmasking Detroit’s auto giants and their decades-long pollution playbook
07/18/2025 / By Belle Carter



The mid-20th century saw Detroit’s Big Three (GM, Ford, Chrysler) redefine American life through mass auto production, but their unchecked growth caused severe environmental damage, leading to long-term public health crises.
Automakers used lobbying, campaign financing and manipulated science to block clean air laws, prioritizing profits over public welfare, delaying critical innovations like catalytic converters despite proven benefits.
While touting eco-friendly initiatives, the industry often undermines sustainability efforts, fighting stricter emissions standards while promoting superficial “green” PR campaigns.
Doyle highlights activists, engineers and advocates pushing for systemic change, showing potential pathways to a cleaner future despite industry obstruction.
The book serves as both an exposé of corporate negligence and a rallying cry for environmental justice, urging transformative action to address climate and public health challenges.

https://www.pollution.news/2025-07-18-unmasking-detroits-auto-giants-decades-long-pollution-playbook.html

[rangerrebew]

I remember in the early 60s, GM accidentally put an experimental carburetor, which got 50+ miles per gallon, on a production model.  They offered $100,000 to get it back which in those days, was a LOT of money.

[Bigun]

I remember when Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company bought out the then privately owned and very efficient public transportation system in Houston, Texas and scrapped it soon thereafter.