New way to get high mpg cars in US?

[Cobos]

All this talk about the CARB backing down again allowed me to find a possible good idea someone posted in the comments on ABG.
I've always wondered why the big three complain about the 35mpg cafe standard when they are already MAKING lots of cars that exceed that standard today. Just not for american consumption but European. So the idea is simply that the legislature demand that any carmanufacturer would be required to offer the smaller engine versions of the same cars they are already selling in the US as a special order. That way it would be possible to get a car with good milage and the car mfg might actually start to realise with todays fuel prices those 1.6 and 2.0L engines do sell.
An example is Fords 4 door Focus which is available with a 90hp 1.6 and a 100hp 1.6 in Norway in addition to the 2.0 available in the states.
So what do you think? Is this my regulating socialist tendencies that is rearing their head or might it be an idea for someone to persue?

Cobos

 

[TEG]

The USA is a different market. Big pickup trucks and SUVs are the main sellers in some states. Many Americans want something that can tow a boat trailer, or lots of camping gear around. They sell some numbers of 35+ MPG economy cars, but they only partially offset the < 20MPG Hummers, Suburbans, Tundras, Excursions, etc.

So many customers want a big V8, towing capability, hauling capability and offroad capability (even if they almost never use it).

 

[Cobos]

I do know that the markets are very different in our two countries, and that was the reason I suggested this could be a good idea. This allows anyone that wants a H1 to buy one and still allows someone to buy a 1.3L Rabbit if they would be willing to pay the special order price. And hence get good fuel economy and help the carmaker meet it's CAFE requirements.

Cobos

[The Norwegian version of handling the Excursions is a bit different than the US way. In addition to $9/gallon gas if you get caught doing 72miles/h in a 62miles/h zone you loose your licence on the spot and get a $1500 fine. But this is tied into our "interesting" car taxsystem]

 

[tonybelding]

I've always wondered why the big three complain about the 35mpg cafe standard when they are already MAKING lots of cars that exceed that standard today. Just not for american consumption but European. So the idea is simply that the legislature demand that any carmanufacturer would be required to offer the smaller engine versions of the same cars they are already selling in the US as a special order. That way it would be possible to get a car with good milage and the car mfg might actually start to realise with todays fuel prices those 1.6 and 2.0L engines do sell.

The car companies are starting to figure this out for themselves. Legislation forcing them to offer those cars in the USA would be counterproductive, it would only incite resentment and resistance from the car makers.

The more I look at regulations like CAFE and the various mandates out of CARB, the more I tend to think they're all basically worthless, if not damaging.

 

[malcolm]

So many customers want a big V8, towing capability, hauling capability and offroad capability (even if they almost never use it).

Oh I dunno.... those Big Gulps can get mighty heavy :smile:

Interestingly, mercedes seems to have underestimated the popularity of the smart in the US.

Smart cars selling strong, distributor could do with 15,000 more this year - AutoblogGreen

And then there's things like this...

Brits can now order the 40 mpg Tiguan TDI - AutoblogGreen

 

[TEG]

Obama unveils sharp increase in auto fuel economy - Yahoo! News

...The proposal, which is the result of months of negotiations between the Obama administration and automakers, would require automakers to reach an average fuel efficiency across their fleets of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025...

 

[vfx]

Obama unveils sharp increase in auto fuel economy - Yahoo! News

http://www.detnews.com/article/20110730/OPINION03/107300361/1149/How-automakers-can-prosper-with-new-fuel-rules

200-mile electric car: This comes down to better batteries. In coming years, they will improve, but no one knows by how much. But someone needs to build and sell an electric car that can carry at least four people 200 miles without needing a recharge. And it needs to cost less than $25,000. That would have sounded impossible five years ago. Now, it might be a stretch, but between weight reduction methods, advanced aerodynamics and battery improvements, it just might be achievable.