[Vwdiesel] Golf, New Rabbit, & Polo Blue Motion

[Scott Kair]

 	Back when VW was seriously considering not bringing TDI engines to
the States, I got in touch with one of their pr flaks. I doubt that she
still works for them, but she did send me a nice packet of out-of-date
Diesel promotion swag. If you're willing to take a shot in the dark, the old
phone number was 800-822-8987.
	The "p" word, "protectionism," certainly comes into play with both
the EPA and NHTSA. Given a choice between competing in the marketplace by
marketing superior products, and lobbying on capitol hill to put the
competition at a disadvantage, domestic automakers act like the
multinational corporations they are and knife the competitors.
	There are some other reasons, though, as to why the Lupo isn't
available in the states. For one, VW can sell all they can produce in
established markets elsewhere. They don't have to hassle with EPA & DOT
certification, or with spending a bundle on promoting a new brand.
	Additionally, the USEPA and EuroSpec emissions control standards are
aimed at reducing very different pollutants. They have to develop two very
different emissions control systems for the same engine in order to sell
that engine here. While electronically governed engine controls have kept
Diesel engines viable, why should VW eat the r&d costs of a US-only
emissions system for a platform that hasn't proven itself here, especially
when there is so much promotion and sanction extended to gasoline-electric
hybrids?
	Another factor in environmental considerations is that the largest
US domestic market is California, which has its own emissions standards set
by the California Air Resources Board. This is the regulatory agency
responsible for warning labels on everything from house paint to charcoal
starter that begins "The state of California has determined..." that using
this product will kill you forthwith. The c.f. resulting from CARB's mandate
to remove sulfur from Diesel fuel in the early 1990's is the stuff of
legend, much of it unfortunately true. Conspicuous among the swag that VW's
flak sent me was a number of articles on how much this mandate wound up
costing the state in claims, and instructions on how to file a claim if your
entire fuel system failed as a direct result of using the no-sulfur fuel.
	Other hogs are feeding at the trough, too. The oil companies are
intent upon maximizing quarterly profit, not investing in upgraded
refineries capable of producing the 50+ cetane fuel needed to run advanced
Diesel engines. They have no reason to do so, as the trucking and rail
industries are also camped out on K Street, intent on containing their fuel
costs, even if it means that we have to put up with marine bunker oil in our
cars. Those who are paying attention understand that at some point, those
interests will conflict and that improved fuel will eventually come to pass.
The oil companies, which didn't get fat by being oblivious, will then cry to
Congress that they'll need federal aid, or massive tax breaks at the least,
to bring their outdated refineries up to making the new fuel. 
	Still, with sufficient customer interest, VW just might take steps
towards bringing the Lupo to these shores. VW is no stranger to innovation,
and they can sell every TDI-equipped car they bring over here. The problem
we've seen over the last 10 or so years that the list has been active is
that their marketing department seems to be less than aggressive in
promoting innovation.
	Good luck,
	Scott Kair  

-----Original Message-----
From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com] On
Behalf Of LBaird119 at aol.com
Sent: Friday, April 14, 2006 9:26 PM
To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Golf, New Rabbit, & Polo Blue Motion

In a message dated 4/14/2006 6:30:33 PM Pacific Standard Time,
jhsg at sasktel.net writes:

> The EPA exists as a barrier to trade, has for years, and will continue 
> to do so clothed in the rags of urban environmentalism.


  Of course DOT puts up a lot of barriers to imported cars too.  Some
somwehat sensible, others not.  Between the two it makes for a lot of
expensive hoops to jump through.
  Read recently that 3 or 4 Japanese auto makers have a couple models each,
ready to bring in.  Small cars, good mileage, low prices.  Detroit, even
though they have competetive cars has no intention of bringing any of them
in at least for the first year the Japanese do.  :-P
     Loren
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