It does not meet U.S. safety and emissions standards; it's not legal for sale here. It's not possible to build a $5K car for the U.S., that's why we don't have one.

Even if it could be done, I wonder whether it would make sense for G.M. to sell it. Such an inexpensive new car would certainly cannibalize sales of used cars (it would convert used cars buyers to new car buyers). That would devalue used cars, hence driving up lease rates for more expensive new cars.

Or, I could be completely wrong. Two semesters of economics twenty years ago only go so far...

- JimY