Ford Threatens Changes if Fuel Standards Kept

DETROIT — Ford Motor said it will reduce domestic manufacture of large cars or shift production outside the United States if the U.S. government does not reduce 1987-89 fuel economy standards.

In a letter delivered Monday to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Washington, the No. 2 U.S. auto maker said that it was “extremely urgent” that the government drop the fuel economy standards to 26 miles per gallon from 27.5 mpg.

The agency last month honored a request by Ford and General Motors to reduce the requirement to 26 mpg during 1986. But the agency held off action on extending the lower requirement through 1989.

Donald R. Buist, Ford’s fuel economy director, said that, without immediate mileage relief, the auto maker may restrict or transfer production of family-size sedans and station wagons.

It also may increase the imported components in larger cars to a level exceeding 25% of the value of the vehicles. That would classify the cars as imports under federal law, Buist said.

He said declining oil prices have changed the automobile market, making larger cars attractive to buyers.

Buist said the agency has indicated that it won’t consider the request until mid-October.

“That means it wouldn’t decide the issue until the first quarter of next year, and that’s too late for our planning needs,” he said.