[Big Dave]

As other guys pointed out…safety regs (ultimately weight and safety are related), US emissions standards kill diesels (Tier II PM2.5 spec are far more stringent than Euro 5), and culture. People in the US want multi-purpose vehicles because it may be the only one they have, so they buy the one that does everything they need it to do and operate sub-optimally in other situations. Hence the people-hauler being used for commuting. Once thing that trucks, minivans, and SUVs have sold people on is the upright seating position. It is far more comfortable than a reclined seating position. Taller cars do not require a lot of gymnastics to get in and out of. That is important to an old coot like me. Taller cars with an upright seating position tend to have bigger frontal area, hence lower FE.

Another huge people consideration: Small, low, slow cars make people feel more vulnerable than big ol’ SUVs with a 7 second 0-60 time. Women in particular, don’t like feeling vulnerable while they drive, so if you want an earful just try to sell a Yaris to a woman.


xbUser posted:

“Is it hard for the automaker to do some modification and sell here?”

Dave says:

Harder than you think.

Keep in mind that fifty cars must be sacrificed to crash tests. One car fails and the whole thing is rejected. Likewise a number of them must be tested for compliance to environmental regs. Maybe they pass the tests, but time is lost while the EPA contractors grudgingly performs the tests. Maybe they don’t pass the tests, in which case they cannot be sold in the US.