How much is gas now?

[graphicgr8s]

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

What would be so wrong about a fixed price? That would make more incentive for the government to stop the oil companies gouging the consumer. $4 might be a little high but then again, it's approaching that in California already (premium anyway).
Another benefit of a fixed price would be the ability to factor in the cost when budgeting.
Yet another benefit would be to put pressure on the car manufacturers to make their cars do more MPG.

Why don't we let then resolve their financial problems before we bog them down with more regulations?

[Damn Brit]

Originally Posted by graphicgr8s

Why don't we let then resolve their financial problems before we bog them down with more regulations?

I'm not talking about regulations. They have the technology already, cars in Europe have far superior fuel economy to those in the U.S. and let's face it, if the car manufacturers don't improve the fuel economy of their cars, they aren't going to resolve their financial problems.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

I'm not talking about regulations. They have the technology already, cars in Europe have far superior fuel economy to those in the U.S. and let's face it, if the car manufacturers don't improve the fuel economy of their cars, they aren't going to resolve their financial problems.

That's the problem that few can comprehend. Those cars often don't meet the Federal & or California regulations. Ford has had a car that they can market in Europe that gets $65 mpg. They can't market it in the U.S. due to diesel emission rules. That's one example. Can you imagine being on some of the elevated cover leafs in SoCal during the Santa Anna winds driving a Smart Car. We call those box kites in Florida.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

I'm not talking about regulations. They have the technology already, cars in Europe have far superior fuel economy to those in the U.S. and let's face it, if the car manufacturers don't improve the fuel economy of their cars, they aren't going to resolve their financial problems.

The Germans had Chrysler for a while (Daimler) and ownership just got back to the U.S. ~ 2 years ago. If you look though, you will see that Toyota is struggling a bit at the moment as well.

[graphicgr8s]

Originally Posted by Blue

The Germans had Chrysler for a while (Daimler) and ownership just got back to the U.S. ~ 2 years ago. If you look though, you will see that Toyota is struggling a bit at the moment as well.

And they have 8 cylinder pickups now!

[Blue]

Originally Posted by graphicgr8s

And they have 8 cylinder pickups now!

And BIG SUVs. But so does BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Porche etc. Although the Porche isn't huge and is very nice.

[Leaf Fan]

Looks like those in the US should be happy about anything less than $4/gal

[graphicgr8s]

Originally Posted by Blue

Can you imagine being on some of the elevated cover leafs in SoCal during the Santa Anna winds driving a Smart Car. We call those box kites in Florida.

Article in the St. Pete Times that stated that a 3-6 mph "accident" in these micro cars could cost between $474 and $3000 to repair.

Smart?

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Leaf Fan

Looks like those in the US should be happy about anything less than $4/gal

With the current mind set, I wouldn't say "happy" but realistic with the special interest groups that don't do much for living but protest, and the current leftist control in both Houses. However, some of my Blue Dogs are pushing back a little. I'm hoping for a Yellow Dog roast in 2010.

[Damn Brit]

Originally Posted by Blue

That's the problem that few can comprehend. Those cars often don't meet the Federal & or California regulations. Ford has had a car that they can market in Europe that gets $65 mpg. They can't market it in the U.S. due to diesel emission rules. That's one example. Can you imagine being on some of the elevated cover leafs in SoCal during the Santa Anna winds driving a Smart Car. We call those box kites in Florida.

Smart cars are meant to be city cars, same as Prius.
Emission standars need to be looked at. I'm pretty sure that although different, standards in Europe don't lead to more pollution.

Originally Posted by Blue

The Germans had Chrysler for a while (Daimler) and ownership just got back to the U.S. ~ 2 years ago. If you look though, you will see that Toyota is struggling a bit at the moment as well.

The car industry is struggling period. Even without the financial situation at the moment, demand for cars is down. The advantage that European and Japanese car makers have is they don't have the burden of healthcare provision that the U.S. companies have.

[bymy141]

Originally Posted by Blue

And BIG SUVs. But so does BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Porche etc. Although the Porche isn't huge and is very nice.

I think you guys should be doing some travelling to Europe.
And while you use your camera's you'll notice that all those Mercedeses, BMW's, Honda's and other cars with 6 or 8 cilinders are not available in Europe, except as a special US import. And if they are, you will have a hard time finding any around.

There has been no US car maker succesful here over the last 25 years.
Not Ford or any other. Not with US models.
In many european countries you'll need efficient diesel engines, manual gears and low emissions to sell many of your models.

With very high fuel prices and road taxes, it has simply been unafforable for many years to drive cars like that over here.
While car sales have been down 35 to 50 % compared with 2008, the smaller Honda and Toyota hibrids have soared.
Honda doubled its market share here in the Netherlands over the last 6 months.

Still your gas prices are 1/3 of the european prices. Also car sales tax here makes car about twice the US prices.
I'm not complaining, however don't make the mistake that we drive (on average) the same cars as US citizens do.
Since this trend did start decades ago, you'll also notice that parking spaces, the width of driving lanes, the maximum length of truck etc, are all so much smaller...

- Bert

[bymy141]

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

Smart cars are meant to be city cars, same as Prius.
Emission standars need to be looked at. I'm pretty sure that although different, standards in Europe don't lead to more pollution.



The car industry is struggling period. Even without the financial situation at the moment, demand for cars is down. The advantage that European and Japanese car makers have is they don't have the burden of healthcare provision that the U.S. companies have.

We own a company here, I suggest you to inform yourself better, you have NO idea.

- Bert

[Damn Brit]

Originally Posted by bymy141

We own a company here, I suggest you to inform yourself better, you have NO idea.

- Bert

I don't understand what you're saying.

[graphicgr8s]

Originally Posted by Damn Brit

Smart cars are meant to be city cars, same as Prius.
Emission standars need to be looked at. I'm pretty sure that although different, standards in Europe don't lead to more pollution.



The car industry is struggling period. Even without the financial situation at the moment, demand for cars is down. The advantage that European and Japanese car makers have is they don't have the burden of healthcare provision that the U.S. companies have.

They may be meant to be shitty cars but they do attain highway speed. (Well close anyway) And if a 3-6 mph tap does 3 grand of damage what happens at 45?

Healthcare, no matter where you are isn't free. Someone/everyone pays for it in higher taxes/fees/whatever. Remember government doesn't make money it only confiscates it from working people then doles it out to the lazy, incompetent......

[Damn Brit]

Originally Posted by graphicgr8s

They may be meant to be shitty cars but they do attain highway speed. (Well close anyway) And if a 3-6 mph tap does 3 grand of damage what happens at 45?

Healthcare, no matter where you are isn't free. Someone/everyone pays for it in higher taxes/fees/whatever. Remember government doesn't make money it only confiscates it from working people then doles it out to the lazy, incompetent......

Japan pays the car companies healthcare costs for their employees in the U.S. That does give them a distinct advantage.