Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Lee
As I see it there's basically three things that influence what carmakers make:
1. What sells. F150 has been the #1 selling vehicle in N.A. for decades, not Metros. All the mfgs are going to try to build F150s then.
2. What's the most profitable. The market has said F150s are worth enough to it that they'll pay a price that includes a tidy profit for the mfg. The market has said that to sell a Metro, the price has to be at a point where the profits are thin.
3. Government regulations. CAFE and safety regs can provide forces to influence product that the Market alone may not.
I think everything else- letter writing campaigns, forum threads, or... what else is there?- pretty much falls on deaf ears.
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fair points frank!but i ask..
1. Why is the f150(a pickup) the best selling vehicle in North America? What does it offer to so many people?or is it just the best/cheapest option out of several poor choices?
2. Would much higher fuel prices (like in europe) refocus the market towards products more geared to low fuel consumption?
3. Would a shift to a single set of 'emissions legislation' help make it easier for manufacturers to develop efficiencies? I struggle to believe that the US dont get the diesel cruze- i imagine the engines are similar to the vauxhall/opel insignia engines, so should be a decent drive.
I also cant help but think that development of 'eco' versions of cars is hampered by limited markets (due to legislation) in the US-if both the EU and the US were able to accept similar cars, then the market for 'eco' cars could potentially double, making the technologies more cost effective..