Fast-Tracking Some Good Cars

New York Times ^ | December 9, 2008 | Christian Edstrom

[reaganaut1]

With a bailout of automakers moving from likelihood to inevitability, Congress and President-elect Barack Obama are talking tough on the conditions to be attached to the money, no doubt trying to avoid the angry reaction that nearly scuttled the finance industry assistance package.

Congressional critics, like Senator Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, senior Republican on the banking committee, say that any Detroit bailout would be ineffective unless the automakers can quickly cut costs and produce more compelling, fuel-efficient cars.

What the politicians have not highlighted is that a relatively simple change of regulations — perhaps just a temporary exemption — at the same time Congress opens the purse strings could quickly alter the competitive landscape for the Detroit Three.

General Motors and Ford already make popular, high-quality, high-mileage automobiles. The trouble is, because of regulatory differences between the United States and the European Union, they’re sold only in Europe.

The automakers’ reluctance to sell those cars in the United States is not as simple as the cars’ inability to meet United States standards for equipment, safety and exhaust emissions; there’s also the cost involved in the certification process. Changing the law to allow the United States sale of cars compliant with European emissions and crash standards, even for just a few years, would allow G.M. and Ford to quickly add some of their popular, high-mileage European models to their lineups here in America.

It’s reasonable to think that within a year, G.M. could import the tiny Opel Agila, the sporty Chevy Spark, and the midsize Opel Insignia, which won the 2009 European Car of the Year award. Ford’s improved lineup could include the Ka subcompact, the universally praised Fiesta and the S-Max minivan, which blows the sliding doors off any current domestic competition.

[reaganaut1]

I want the U.S. automakers to survive, but not through government bailouts. I favor allowing them to sell cars that are currently being sold in Europe, but I doubt the UAW would be enthusiastic.

[CaptainAmiigaf]

Has anyone else been stunned by the information that our “terrible auto industry” seems to be making some of the BEST and most popular cars in the world everywhere but in the USA? Does it appear to anyone else that the basic problem of OUR auto industry is GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS and our UNIONS? There is something really rotten here..namely evidence that the basic problem in the USA is people with no ability to produce autos are telling those who can how the task should be accomplished. Government regulations, government mandates, government anything....there is the crux of the matter.

[Da Coyote]

Having driven the European cars, and found them to be greatly superior to GM’s normal trash (what else is new), methinks that even the NYT occasionally has a good idea.

[Red Badger]

Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.....

If you want ON or OFF the DIESEL ”KnOcK” LIST just FReepmail me.....

This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days.....

[Red Badger]

There are several diesels that are currently sold in Europe that cannot be sold here because of government interference in the market place.............

[Dahoser]

The problem with loosening regulations instead of bailing them out is that the central planners in DC can't control more of the economy if they don't take over the automakers. The Republican Study Committee (conservatives in the House) had an alternative proposal to the bailout that did not involve trillions of dollars, but it was ignored for the same reason. Sadly, far too many people think it's the central planners who have the answers and the march toward socialist ruin continues apace.

[Sig Sauer P220]

They need to drop unprofitable models of cars. Of course to do that would mean loss of jobs for union members, and that won’t be allowed. So it becomes a money pit that we taxpayers have to prop up. F’em.

[snoringbear]

“I want the U.S. automakers to survive, but not through government bailouts. I favor allowing them to sell cars that are currently being sold in Europe, but I doubt the UAW would be enthusiastic.”

Yeah, the Dem's are in a spot for sure. on the auto issue they have the unions and the greenies are at cross-purposes. So, no matter what, the Dem leadership will make one of their constituents angry. Personally, I love it...

[Dixie Yooper]

If I could afford to run out and buy a new American auto right now, it would probably be a new Buick Enclave. It’s a beautiful piece of work, but also a symbol of too much attention spent on where the bulk of the market isn’t.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

The new crop of European diesels are definitely the way to go. My next vehicle WILL be a high-mileage diesel.

[CPOSharky]

Typical political reaction.

Too much government interference causing economic loss?

Answer, more government interference.

[Bobalu]

[FreedomPoster]

The U.S. crash standard certification compliance requirements are pretty absurd. Any new engine/transmission is cause for a complete new crash certification (= big $$$). For instance, say you have certified a car with a 2.0L turbodiesel with an auto trans. If you want to bring over the manual trans version, that’s a complete new crash certification process. It’s ridiculous.

[ClearCase_guy]

produce more compelling, fuel-efficient cars.

I won't disagree with the idea that American carmakers ought to improve their quality.
I won't disagree with the idea that fuel efficiency is a good thing.

But I will say this:
With gas at about $1.69 a gallon, fuel efficiency isn't the biggest concern among today's buyers.
The biggest problem the carmakers face isn't their cars: it's their unions.

Talking about the need for fuel efficiency is a willful effort to avoid talking about the real problems.

[Red Badger]

My next vehicle WILL be a high-mileage diesel.

So will mine. Probably about 250k miles.........

[ltc8k6]

Well, this has been going on for many years. Ford of Europe makes far better cars. Holden in Australia does too.

People have been wanting the cars sold in Europe and Australia for many years. The answers about why we can’t have them have varied.

The main thing holding back the diesels was the lack of ULSD in the states and the high price of diesel fuel.

At the moment, it makes no sense to buy a diesel car where I live, and it has not made sense for a long time. The price of the fuel and the extra cost of the diesel engine kills the fuel economy advantage.

People also seem to have short memories for what has already happened in the past.

Ford needed a small pickup in the US a long time ago when gas prices went up. Instead of building it, they got Toyo Kogyo (Mazda) in Japan to build it for them. It was called the Ford Courier.

Chevy did the same thing with the LUV pickup made by Isuzu.

This was in 1972...

[pnh102]

Why wait? Honda, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai all produce high MPG quality vehicles. All 4 companies either have or are building factories in the USA and hiring US workers to build these cars.

[pnh102]

Does it appear to anyone else that the basic problem of OUR auto industry is GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS and our UNIONS?

It can't be government regulation because other car companies are still able to sell and make cars in the USA despite that.

[LetsRok]

Be sure to look at the new BMW 3-Series Diesel.

[Neidermeyer]

Be sure to look at the new BMW 3-Series Diesel.
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That car ROCKS! BMW sells it with automatic only because NONE of their manuals can handle the torque!