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First off, the vast majority of cars here get much better MPG than they do in the US. I picked up a 2000 VW Polo 1.4TDi (3 cylinder) for $2000 which seems to get about 55mpg with no mods and average driving style (not agressive, but not hypermiling). The turbo makes it easy to enter/exit the freeway and pass. Why is this engine not sold in the US???
My guess is you havent lurked that long......
there are numreous threads discussing this concept (which is 'a non-starter')
where to start...........
1. europe and it's develpement is 1000 of yrs in the making.
THUS, roads were designed for horses and carts
2. America is several 100 yrs. Suburbs created the large car.
I really dont want to get into a history of civilization and the devel;oppment of transportation, but it's apple and oranges.
Look at all the failed european brands that are no longer in the us BECAUSE the euro version didnt sell. Fiat, MG, Opel etc
THen mix in the various govrnment regulations that various manufacturers decided to not mess with.
Funny, when I was in france and Italy, I was amazed at how much American product is consumed by the europeans. Just wander thru the subways and look at the ads on the walls. Films, Software, laptops.....the list goes on.
Sure, A jetta looks like a large car in europe. But all those mini cars dont pass the safty and emmision standards which the US deem neccesary.
The reason only the loaded models of the BMWs etc are seen in the us is because the "cost' to get the car here requires it to have a higher price.
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