Why are cars sold in other countries so much more fuel efficient than in the US?!

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Put up your hand if you're OK with having a small car that takes 14 seconds or longer to get to 60 mph.

Small car, yes. 14 seconds, no.

But if you think about it, these are in no way connected. Consider the (1st gen) Lotus Elise, which could do 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. (About the time most US drivers take for 0-1 in their powerful large pickups & SUVs.) Or the Tesla Roadster, 0-60 in under 4 seconds. Or even the Honda CRX, at 8-10 seconds (depending on model year), or my Insight, at ~10 sec. Those & similar cars manage to get decent highway mpg (or miles/kWh), too.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by niky

As Frank Lee said... it's all about the tax structure.

The US has less gas taxes, which means it hurts less to fuel up and run big cars. On top of that, CAFE regulations and gas guzzler taxes penalize cars based on the footprint system more than trucks. Want to avoid the guzzler tax? Just shove that motor in a truck.

That is appalling.

I often think about Commissioner Gordon discussing escalation with Batman at the end of the first newer movie. People do not worry about having a large vehicle, they want a larger vehicle than everyone else. Yes, they equate large with safe. They want to be safer than everyone else.

This will not end well.

[mechman600]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Put up your hand if you're OK with having a small car that takes 14 seconds or longer to get to 60 mph.

Or 20 seconds to 30 mph (Forkenswift/eBooger/any other DIY gizmo)!

[Arragonis]

I can count on the fingers of 3 fingers the times I have needed to do 0-60 as fast as possible, in 30 years.

Is every light in the US a drag race ?

In which case that's your problem.

Why do you need to win, why do you even need to compete.

[Frank Lee]

Is every light in the US a drag race ?

Yes.

[mechman600]

Not just the US.
It's awful here too.

[campisi]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

I can count on the fingers of 3 fingers the times I have needed to do 0-60 as fast as possible, in 30 years.

Is every light in the US a drag race ?

In which case that's your problem.

Why do you need to win, why do you even need to compete.

Exactly right. Every light in the US is not a drag race but, I'm sorry to say, Americans are most definitely hung up on power even though they rarely if ever get the chance to use it.
And to answer the OP's question the reason car makers don't sell more fuel efficient cars in the US is because they WON'T SELL. Not some grand government conspiracy. The car makers will sell us whatever 'we' want however 'we' have spoken, and loud and clear, that 'we' want big, fast cars and trucks. End of story. When enough people demand fuel efficiency over big and fast then they will import those vehicles.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by campisi

Exactly right. Every light in the US is not a drag race but, I'm sorry to say, Americans are most definitely hung up on power even though they rarely if ever get the chance to use it.
And to answer the OP's question the reason car makers don't sell more fuel efficient cars in the US is because they WON'T SELL. Not some grand government conspiracy. The car makers will sell us whatever 'we' want however 'we' have spoken, and loud and clear, that 'we' want big, fast cars and trucks. End of story. When enough people demand fuel efficiency over big and fast then they will import those vehicles.

Well, they want to stay in business and make as much money in the process as possible. Many people purchase cars as status symbols and I imagine that car companies put more time and money into selling more expensive cars than cheaper ones. Some people want cars that they can afford, so manufacturers make an effort, but not necessarily a great one.

[niky]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

OK, I don't think I've seen you mention this one yet. What is it?

Isuzu Crosswind (Panther)... Fuego derivative with 5 doors and ten seats. Nearly two tons. 2.5 liter OHV diesel with a mechanical injection pump and timing gear, no emissions controls. 80 measly horses. There's a turbo version, but when we tested it, it only had about 4-6 psi of boost on a good day.

24 MPG in gridlock, mid-30's at 60 mph. I've heard you can do 40 MPG, but that takes a lot of work. Isuzu still sells oodles of these because they're pretty tough and basic. I've driven mine through floods and with a completely dead electrical system. Kept right on chugging. At least the new ones make a little more boost and power and feature Euro II emissions equipment. They still have two decade old crash safety and a horse-cart suspension, but they sell.

Worst car I've ever owned. When it finally conks out (probably at 200-300k miles), I'll likely buy a newer version of the same thing.

[sid]

There is one difference I haven't seen anyone mention. Even the same model vehicle gets better fuel economy in other countries than in the US. Why? The US has the strictest pollution requirements in the world, at least with regards to all recognized pollutants other than CO2.