Corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE) is a series of rules established by Congress in 1975 to increase fuel efficiency of automobiles produced and sold in the United States. Initiated as a response to the oil crises of that time, CAFE standards apply to all manufacturers who sell cars and light trucks in the United States. The standards are administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Initially, CAFE standards required manufacturers to gradually increase fuel efficiency, thereby decreasing U.S. dependence on imported oil. Over the years, the auto industry has blocked implementation of most changes in CAFE rules. As of 2002, the standards required manufacturers’ cars to average 27.5 miles per gallon and light trucks to average 20.7 miles per gallon. The distinction between light trucks and cars, when established in the 1970s, emphasized differences in the style and use of the two groups of vehicles. Since then, with changes in market DEMAND, manufacturers have classified minivans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) as light trucks, which then requires them to meet only the lower fuel-efficiency requirement. In 2002 the expanded light-truck category represented approximately half of new vehicle sales in the country. Together, light trucks and cars consume over 40 percent of all oil used in the United States. In recent years the “Big Three” U.S. automobile manufacturers (General Motors, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler) have produced larger vehicles that have barely met fuel-efficiency standards. If standards are raised as part of new national-security goals, these manufacturers could face significant investment requirements or face penalties under CAFE. BMW and Mercedes-Benz (part of DaimlerChrysler) regularly do not meet CAFE standards and pay federal fines, but most Japanese manufacturers easily meet the current standards. Imposition of higher standards would result in a competitive advantage for Japanese manufacturers, who would not have to invest in new technology.