Uncle Sam Says No, You Absolutely Can’t Have These Cars

[CaseyJones]

We've all looked longingly and lovingly at the auto shows in Europe and Japan and wondered how we might drive some of the awesome cars that don't make it to the states. Turns out, a passport, plane ticket and rental agreement might be the only way.

Sure, some lustworthy Euro-spec cars can make it in. Witness the list of Show and Display cars the overlords at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration OK'd despite the fact that not one of them meets government safety standards.

Such cars must be exceedingly rare, historically significant and driven a mere 2,500 miles annually. But if you think a boatload of money and reams of paperwork can get any car into the country, think again.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/04/cars-uncle-sam-says-you-cant-have/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Ind ex+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

[acptulsa]

Big Three protectionism. Nothing more. A little cage that turns into a rubber room when touched is not a superior safety strategy to 'crumple zones', and cars with crumple zones are roomier and use no more fuel. But, the government won't let you make them that way.

Of course, this protectionism failed. It has prevented many an independent automaker from surviving (usually it prevents them from even getting started). But you'll notice it didn't keep the Japanese and South Koreans out of our market.

[Anti Federalist]

Big Three protectionism. Nothing more. A little cage that turns into a rubber room when touched is not a superior safety strategy to 'crumple zones', and cars with crumple zones are roomier and use no more fuel. But, the government won't let you make them that way.

Of course, this protectionism failed. It has prevented many an independent automaker from surviving (usually it prevents them from even getting started). But you'll notice it didn't keep the Japanese and South Koreans out of our market.

No, but it made them manufacture here. The two best selling cars in the country, the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord are made in Ohio and Kentucky. Kia is building a massive new plant in Alabama, IIRC

The goal of repressive regulations is not to "protect" but to deliberately make it impossible to accomplish or manufacture anything here anymore.

Asian firms were able to compete in that environment better than hidebound US companies, which is why they have been able to thrive, for a while anyway.

New Tier III EPA and carbon regulations will put a crimp in that.

It's only a matter of time.

[Anti Federalist]

The 65 MPG Ford, that you are forbidden to buy here in the USA.

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/gimages/0904_mz_ecocar.jpg

[QueenB4Liberty]

Man I would love a car that get 65 miles per gallon. How many gallons in the car?

[Anti Federalist]

Man I would love a car that get 65 miles per gallon. How many gallons in the car?

It's a diesel version of the Ford Fiesta, being built for the UK and Europe.

1.6L 90HP turbo diesel.

Highway mileage is 74 mpg!

Tanks size is 9.9 gallons.

So a range of 500-600 miles should be easily achieved.

[Jack Bauer]

And why are we forbidden to buy it here?

Is it Ford's market strategy?

[Anti Federalist]

And why are we forbidden to buy it here?

Is it Ford's market strategy?

Both.

EPA regulations and the decision at Ford not try and market it here due to that.

Oh, and the fact that the vehicle and engine is made in Europe and England, which would make it cost prohibitive due to the failing dollar.

[acptulsa]

And why are we forbidden to buy it here?

Is it Ford's market strategy?

Yes. But this is only Ford's strategy because by the time they got that diesel past the EPA, that light body, bumpers and interior past the NHTSA, and jumped through all the other alphabet soup hoops the car would have doubled in development cost and would probably have trouble climbing Lombard St. in San Francisco. It wouldn't be the same car. Selling that car as is here would be as illegal as selling a new reproduction of a 1969 Dodge Dart...

[Anti Federalist]

Yes. But this is only Ford's strategy because by the time they got that diesel past the EPA, that light body, bumpers and interior past the NHTSA, and jumped through all the other alphabet soup hoops the car would have doubled in development cost and would probably have trouble climbing Lombard St. in San Francisco. It wouldn't be the same car. Selling that car as is here would be as illegal as selling a new reproduction of a 1969 Dodge Dart...

Which, with a Slant Six and room for six adults, would still get 28-30 MPG on the highway, without carrying around 500 lbs of everfucking computers to do it.

http://image.automotive.com/f/featuredvehicles/17494813+pheader/mopp_0906_01_z+1969_dodge_dart_swinger+front_view. jpg

[LibertyRevolution]

I know a guy that has a dodge Dart, IT IS A BEAST!

That 65MPG ford ... yup, after we fit it with all the crap needed to pass safety here it would weigh another 1000 lbs and get 40mpg...

[Anti Federalist]

///

[QueenB4Liberty]

It's a diesel version of the Ford Fiesta, being built for the UK and Europe.

1.6L 90HP turbo diesel.

Highway mileage is 74 mpg!

Tanks size is 9.9 gallons.

So a range of 500-600 miles should be easily achieved.

Ahhhh man not fair. But then I guess gas is so expensive there they have to have good gas mileage. lol