Two activist shareholder groups who work together in an attempt to force automakers to care about green issues - the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility and the Investor Network on Climate Risk Network (which includes the Connecticut State Treasurer's office) - have backed off of Ford. The groups are pleased with Ford's announcement that details how it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in the next dozen years. The groups had targeted FoMoCo for a shareholder resolution but Ford's public comments have put such plans on hold - the two groups even issued a joint press release (pasted after the break) that praises Ford's actions. Sue Cischke, who's been more than willing to talk to AutoblogGreen in the past, met with the activist groups last month, Reuters reports, and talked to them about how Ford will green up its offerings through spending most of its $6b annual R&D budget on technology that ups MPG or lowers CO₂ numbers.

While Ford has earned a reprieve here, GM remains in the groups' sights. We'll know more by the time GM's annual meeting takes place in June.

The big automakers showed a little teeth at this year's Washington Auto Show. The video above begins with Mark LaNeve of GM telling a story about a U.S. senator. The senator suggested to Mark that GM build at least one car that got over 30 MPG. Mark said GM builds 15 cars that gets over 30 MPG and he was shocked a U.S. Senator did not know this. I'm not shocked.

The video above also includes Jim Press of Chrysler talking about state regulation. Jim says it's not just California but 13 other states that want different standards. Why should Chrysler have to make 14 different vehicles, Jim wondered. I think they all want the same standard, so you could just build one car that complied with that standard and sell it in the entire United States.

I recorded the Ford and government press conference as well. As you can see in the video below the fold, something went wrong. Sorry readers, I'm not that familiar with Mini DV video cameras. Ford's Sue Cischke did argue with a reporter on whether or not their were actually CAFE "fines" anymore. Sue said the system has changed and their really are not fines. The reporter did not believe her.

Anyway, your questions could have responses as great as these. The show has two days left. So, post your questions in comments and I will ask them when I head back to the show.