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Automotive News & Views How The 35 mpg Law By 2020 Will Affect The Cars We Will Drive
476 messages, Last post on May 12, 2008 at 6:34 AM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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One thing that concerns me is that you don't read much about the proposed 2011-2015 rules. I can't imagine that firms like Porsche and Subaru aren't lobbying against these asymmetrical regs. As I see it, it's outrageous. I suppose one thing Subaru could do, to meet the mileage requirements, would be to make AWD optional, as it was in the '80s and early '90s. I know the AWD feature as standard equipment differentiated the brand, but, frankly, do most drivers in the Sunbelt benefit from AWD? And Porsche could dial back the horsepower some, and put greater marketing emphasis on handling and the other attributes of its cars, but these are just ways of dealing with what, in my opinion, are grossly unfair regulations. |
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Replying to: hpmctorque (May 01, 2008 6:08 am) I think they'll just add another Justy-like vehicle to the line-up to get the fleet numbers to fall in line.
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Replying to: steve_ (May 01, 2008 7:22 am) Great idea. I'd buy one. If Suzuki can sell the SX4, Subie can sell another Justy.
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Replying to: bpizzuti (May 01, 2008 7:44 am) |
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Replying to: hpmctorque (May 01, 2008 6:08 am) OTOH, Porsche is having an even bigger fight with the EU over new emissions standards set to take effect there shortly (stricter than those in the U.S., of course). Porsche can't win - all its models are gas guzzlers in the context of global 2020 CO2 emissions standards. Subaru plans to implement the new diesel in its larger models in 2010 or so, which will help. There are plans afoot to bring in a rebadged Daihatsu in Europe to help meet CO2 goals there, I don;t know what they will do in the U.S. It is true that the Subaru fans are howling about the possibility of making AWD optional again, but it is also inescapably true that AWD drags down fuel economy and offers a benefit that few in the southern states will pay extra for. With all the woes Porsche faces (because it sells only one "truck"), I wonder how much trouble this will cause for BMW. Mercedes, of course, is truck-heavy, so they get more of a break. |
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I saw a bright red SX4 a couple of days ago - my first sighting. It looked sharp - maybe it was a tricked out Cobra version because I've never really noticed one before. I thought it was a MINI at first. You aren't the only one to make that comparison. Where I live in Colorado, there is a Suzuki dealer in town and the SX4 (hatch) is becoming a popular vehicle. Every time my wife sees one, she comments on how it reminds her of a Mini. I, personally, don't see the resemblance, but I suspect that the SX4 is, to my wife, "distinctive", like the Mini.
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Replying to: michaell (May 01, 2008 9:48 am) 
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I think if Porsche were to merge with VW, in which it already owns a major stake, that would go a long way towards resolving its 2011-2015 mileage delemna. I also read that Porsche is developing a hybrid powertrain. This may be more appropriate for their SUV and their upcoming super sedan than for their sports cars. As for Subaru, reintroducing an updated version of the Justy might be part of the answer. The Justy was a neat car, by the way. I'd like to see it in the Subie lineup again, with a new 3 cylinder engine. Another solution for Subaru, now that Toyota owns a stake in the company, is for hybrid versions of some models. So, between making AWD optional, the diesel. a new mini car, and hybrid technology, it looks as though Subaru has options. |
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Replying to: hpmctorque (May 01, 2008 6:08 am) Guess who might be the constituency that would have the most expertise in writing rules about automobiles? How about the US auto industry? Look closely and you will see the subtle hand of GM / F / C / T actually writing these regs. Oh they hurt Porsche, Merc and Subaru.... Oh Darn.
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Replying to: kdhspyder (May 12, 2008 2:26 am) Such examples of politics is why there's no GM / F / C / T products parked in my driveway: I vote with my wallet. In the meantime, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop (or perhaps it already has), where an E85 - capable vehicle gets some sort of "bonus" in the CAFE numbers game. -hh |
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