Low-Volume Vehicle Manufacturing Bill - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MagnumPI · #1 10-31-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Congressman John Campbell (R-CA) has introduced a bipartisan bill, supported by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), to enable low volume car manufacturers to provide a range of specialty vehicles for customers nationwide. The legislation directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a regulatory structure to facilitate the production of these cars.

Read more: U.S. Congressional Bill | Car Initiative Blog & Discussion at Popular Hot Rodding Magazine

Here's (potentially) a step in the right direction. Assuming some decency regarding the italicized portion.

tjts1 · #2 10-31-2011, 02:43 PM

As long as they pass the same safety, fuel economy and emissions tests as every other vehicle on the road its allright by me.

sixto · #3 10-31-2011, 02:57 PM

I expect it will be complicated by manufacturers making sure it doesn't re-establish a gray market.

Sixto
87 300D

MagnumPI · #4 10-31-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

As long as they pass the same safery, fuel economy and emissions tests as every other vehicle on the road its allright by me.

Way to miss the point, entirely.

MagnumPI · #5 10-31-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

I expect it will be complicated by manufacturers making sure it doesn't re-establish a gray market.

Sixto
87 300D

That's my best guess, as well. Hopefully they don't have enough money right now to counter-lobby whomever it is trying to pass this. I like to be optimistic.

sixto · #6 10-31-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

As long as they pass the same safery, fuel economy and emissions tests as every other vehicle on the road its allright by me.

Maybe the point is that it's outrageous to destroy 50 examples to certify a model of which they plan to build and sell a dozen. Or they'll accept analysis in place of destructive testing as they do with aircraft.

As long as it doesn't raise my liability or insurance premiums to have more exotics on the road...

Sixto
87 300D

elchivito · #7 10-31-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagnumPI

Way to miss the point, entirely.

So, the point is it's an end run around those requirements?

MagnumPI · #8 10-31-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

So, the point is it's an end run around those requirements?

Yep. None of your business how safe my car is.

Skippy · #9 10-31-2011, 03:39 PM

Text of the bill here:

Bill Text - 112th Congress (2011-2012) - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Sounds like a good start. I'd like to point out that on the emissions front, they are basically just trying to allow small volume light vehicle manufacturers to operate in a similar way to heavy truck manufacturers, in which it's the engine that gets certified for emission compliance, not the specific combination of engine and vehicle.

compu_85 · #10 10-31-2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

it's the engine that gets certified for emission compliance, not the specific combination of engine and vehicle.

That sounds like an excellent way to go.

-J

TylerH860 · #11 10-31-2011, 03:50 PM

1 zonda please.

tjts1 · #12 10-31-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagnumPI

Yep. None of your business how safe my car is.

On the contrary. Its everybody's business when we drive the same roads and share the same insurance poll.

MagnumPI · #13 10-31-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

On the contrary. Its everybody's business when we drive the same roads and share the same insurance poll.

No it isn't. That's more of the same problem, monopolistic coercion and forced consumerism. Then again the complete annihilation of that type of ridiculousness: motorcycles.

elchivito · #14 10-31-2011, 04:18 PM

The motorcycle rates are perfect. Insurance companies love riders who don't wear helmets. No long term recuperation costs.

spdrun · #15 10-31-2011, 04:58 PM

As long as it doesn't legislate the homebuilt/kit car market (currently controlled by states, with little Feddle meddling) out of existence, I'm good with it.