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  #1  
Old 11-23-2005, 07:48 AM
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Just a theory, please comment

I have been reading about the Smart diesel not being imported because it doesn't meet the EPA regulations.
Think about this a moment. When crude oil is processed, everything is used. Two of the components are diesel/fuel oil, and the other is gas. What would happen to the oil companys if all or most cars were diesel? Now we have all big trucks, and all or most cars running on diesel, what would they do with all the gas? The oil companys have the balance they want now and I'm sure they don't want things to change.
So, with the help of our government, THE RICH GET RICHER and THE POOR GET POORER.
Sorry if I steped on someones toes, but this is what I believe.

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  #2  
Old 11-23-2005, 08:33 AM
ncof300d
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I believe that the EPA regulations have a lot to do with many diesels not being here already or at least on the way here. About two years ago I read an announcement that Honda would not consider marketing a diesel engine in the U.S. A few months later Honda recanted that statement. I believe that if the regulations were not what they are going to be for diesels over the next few years Honda would be here by 2007 with the diesel that they have in Europe and everybody else would be scrambling to play catch up. I have read many glowing articles about Honda’s diesel engine from every aspect. Two or three weeks ago Honda announced that they were going to develop a V6 diesel for the U.S. I just wish that they would bring there current engine here.

True, there is likely a negative diesel sentiment here in the U.S. (thank you GM ), but you can not have hopes of changing perceptions if you do not have product available to offer. Fortunately, Jeep has already sold more Liberty diesels than first thought and this has Chrysler pondering other vehicles. There was an article this summer speculating of possibly using the new Mercedes V6 diesel in the Chrysler 300. (My choice would be to stuff that Cummins in the 300. )

When you compare gasoline power to diesel in regards to energy conservation and the resulting economics of the conservation I do not find anything positive about gasoline power. I find it interesting that in 2004 50% of the vehicles sold in Europe were diesel and the only reason that the number was not higher was because there was more demand for diesel cars than supply.

I believe that the global automotive industry is at a cross road; cheapen the same thing that you have been pushing for years or gamble on fuel efficient technologies/fuels and hope that the customer is willing to pay a little more for it knowing that they are conserving energy which in turn reduces pollution.
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  #3  
Old 11-23-2005, 09:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ncof300d
I believe that the EPA regulations have a lot to do with many diesels not being here already or at least on the way here. About two years ago I read an announcement that Honda would not consider marketing a diesel engine in the U.S. A few months later Honda recanted that statement. I believe that if the regulations were not what they are going to be for diesels over the next few years Honda would be here by 2007 with the diesel that they have in Europe and everybody else would be scrambling to play catch up. I have read many glowing articles about Honda’s diesel engine from every aspect. Two or three weeks ago Honda announced that they were going to develop a V6 diesel for the U.S. I just wish that they would bring there current engine here.

True, there is likely a negative diesel sentiment here in the U.S. (thank you GM ), but you can not have hopes of changing perceptions if you do not have product available to offer. Fortunately, Jeep has already sold more Liberty diesels than first thought and this has Chrysler pondering other vehicles. There was an article this summer speculating of possibly using the new Mercedes V6 diesel in the Chrysler 300. (My choice would be to stuff that Cummins in the 300. )

When you compare gasoline power to diesel in regards to energy conservation and the resulting economics of the conservation I do not find anything positive about gasoline power. I find it interesting that in 2004 50% of the vehicles sold in Europe were diesel and the only reason that the number was not higher was because there was more demand for diesel cars than supply.

I believe that the global automotive industry is at a cross road; cheapen the same thing that you have been pushing for years or gamble on fuel efficient technologies/fuels and hope that the customer is willing to pay a little more for it knowing that they are conserving energy which in turn reduces pollution.

Don't blame GM...they had a better engine than volvo did....adn more powerfull than the old VW 1.6 N/A
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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
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1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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  #4  
Old 11-23-2005, 09:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmckechnie
... what would they do with all the gas? The oil companys have the balance they want now and I'm sure they don't want things to change...
The refining process can easily be adapted to produce pretty much whatever products they want to produce. For instance, this time of year more is being refined into diesel/fuel oil fractions for home heating, while in later winter and spring they switch more to gasoline fraction production. It is no longer a game of just distilling off the crude and getting what you get. It actually hasn't been that way for a few decades, but now more than ever refiners can produce almost whatever they want from a barrel of crude.
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  #5  
Old 11-23-2005, 09:41 AM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmckechnie
I have been reading about the Smart diesel not being imported because it doesn't meet the EPA regulations.
Think about this a moment. When crude oil is processed, everything is used. Two of the components are diesel/fuel oil, and the other is gas. What would happen to the oil companys if all or most cars were diesel? Now we have all big trucks, and all or most cars running on diesel, what would they do with all the gas? The oil companys have the balance they want now and I'm sure they don't want things to change.
So, with the help of our government, THE RICH GET RICHER and THE POOR GET POORER.
Sorry if I steped on someones toes, but this is what I believe.
I don't think it's quite that simple. The auto manufactures are going to make decisions as to which models to sell in the US based on quite a few factors, including the regulatory climate. There is a well defined cost/benefit analysis that is going to determine if it's worthwhile. Part of it is straight economics based on projected sales, part has to do with how much regulatory hassle (cost) is involved, and part has to do with the marketing image of the company in a particular market.

It appears to me that selling a Smart in the US may not be a good move at this time. It would have a very limited market due to it's size and perceived lack of performance/safety. The per unit pricing would have to be low because most people would only buy one as a second, or third car. Lots of units would have to be sold to recover the cost of certification, etc. because of the low price. The risk of it flopping in a big way is to high. I can see Jay Leno making jokes about them, now. I just don't think fuel has yet reached a price point that will cause the average american to significantly change their behavior. Most americans are still buying SUVs, not the small efficient cars that are already available. I just don't think it's time yet. Maybe when fuel gets to $5/gal, maybe.
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  #6  
Old 11-23-2005, 09:44 AM
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but i want one soo bad.... cant the govt make the canadian models avalilable to those who want to buy them without modifying the engine at all like ZAP is doing over in cali.
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  #7  
Old 11-23-2005, 09:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDon
but i want one soo bad.... cant the govt make the canadian models avalilable to those who want to buy them without modifying the engine at all like ZAP is doing over in cali.
only if you move to Canada....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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