U.S. Exempts Rolls From Fuel Standards

A Rolls-Royce just wouldn’t be a Rolls if it had a Geo Metro look.

So, the U.S. government says that British-made Rolls, known the world over for the heavyweight body, luxurious style, and expense of its cars, won’t have to comply with federal fuel-consumption standards that might force it to emulate some of the features of your typical econo-car.

Instead of having to meet the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 27.5 miles per gallon for 1997 cars, Rolls-Royce Motors Ltd. can meet a lower standard of 15.1 mpg.

The exemption means Rolls-Royce won’t have to pay penalties for failure to meet the 27.5 mpg standard, as long as it meets the 15.1 mpg level, or consequently raise prices for customers.