Why are American versions of cars ALWAYS watered down compared to the Euro versions?
10-21-2002, 05:20 AM
#2
It is not just one thing that creates this problem......
There are a few factors that contribute to this problem, first and foremost I would suggest that because we have stricter EPA standards as well as crash standards. Euro cars need to be redesigned in order to come here to the states.
The other reason is that the US does not seem to have the appetite for these cars in a lot of cases in order to make it worth it for the manufacturers to bring them over. Some of the coolest VW Golfs never made it here because the US does not like hatchbacks in general. The Jetta reigns supreme here on this side of the pond.
The other reason is that the US does not seem to have the appetite for these cars in a lot of cases in order to make it worth it for the manufacturers to bring them over. Some of the coolest VW Golfs never made it here because the US does not like hatchbacks in general. The Jetta reigns supreme here on this side of the pond.
10-21-2002, 05:52 AM
#4
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don't forget insurance companies...
they hate high performance cars (I'll admit, there's at least some basis for their point of view). this doesn't directly stop a car from coming here, but it has an indirect effect - if the ins. costs will be very high, it could affect sales. sometimes it leads to some conservatism when choosing engine options, although recently, it seems the horsepower wars are back in action...
still, my guess is that EPA regulations rule more than anything - I think there are significant costs in certifying a new model, which might not be worthwhile if you're only going to sell a few.
still, my guess is that EPA regulations rule more than anything - I think there are significant costs in certifying a new model, which might not be worthwhile if you're only going to sell a few.
10-21-2002, 06:10 AM
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It's not that the Euro crash standards are stricter...
...<font color="003366"> so much as they're <i>different.</i> And in the case of side impact the performance standard is so close as to barely be worth using the term. But the required test procedures couldn't be more different.
Now US and Canadian bumper standards are another thing entirely. The TT tumors show the divergence of the two regulations pretty clearly.
Additionally, in the case of VWoA (and to a somewhat lesser degree AoA), the prevailing thoughts regarding chassis tuning is that U.S. roads are too Moon-like for some Euro-spec spring/shock/wheel-tire setups.
Any bets that if VWoA wasn't headquartered in Michigan, the chassis mavens from The Fatherland would have a better opinion of American roads?</font>
Now US and Canadian bumper standards are another thing entirely. The TT tumors show the divergence of the two regulations pretty clearly.
Additionally, in the case of VWoA (and to a somewhat lesser degree AoA), the prevailing thoughts regarding chassis tuning is that U.S. roads are too Moon-like for some Euro-spec spring/shock/wheel-tire setups.
Any bets that if VWoA wasn't headquartered in Michigan, the chassis mavens from The Fatherland would have a better opinion of American roads?</font>
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10-21-2002, 06:48 AM
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And UK roads are better? Doesn't seem like the put on marshmellow suspensions for the UK....
it comes down to who's running the show at product planning. It's apparent that the folks at AoA fell off the boat a LONG time ago.....