Automotive EE here… I’ve been trying to explain this to people for a DECADE.
It’s all exactly correct.
Obama’s emission rules basically were impossible. So they made a CAFE-exception for footprint.
They told the mfgs “we’re going to grade you on footprint”, the mfgs said ok “we’ll give you footprint”.
Trump admin was 100% right, but this feel good bs damage is done. Biden admin has seemingly doubled down where Obama admin failed so badly. I want to believe it’s good intentions and they don’t know, but I’m pretty sure they all know the cause and effects here.