RE: Crash Test

[Mark Nelson <mnelson@brls.com>]

>	Mark sez, reason S8 etc., not brought over is related to crash 
>test costs, at least in part.
>
>	Mark I understand your frustration about us not getting the good 
>stuff, I have it too.  But, hopefully, Audi is not using the crash test 
>thing as its reason not to export / import S8 to US.  With the S6, it was 
>emissions probs in far West and far East US.  While crash test costs are 
>high, it is not a significant expense---relative to other operating 
>costs.  Now, IF the car must be reworked in order to PASS crash test, 
>yes, those remedial measures cost real $$$$$$$$.  

Yes it would cost a heck of a lot to rework these cars for the US market
and it really, as you mentioned, gets ludicrous if you are not going to
end up selling a lot of cars as Audi typically does NOT in the US  

>But, if Audi wanted to 
>sell the S8, S2, etc., in US market, it could.  Prob in years past has 
>been sales figures [which appear to be changing].  
>
>	Frankly, although I am not a proponent of "big brother", I am a 
>proponent of crash tests.  Thankfully, the days of people being skewered 
>by the steering column, etc., are ending.  IMHO, Audi doesn't import cars 
>like the S8, S2, etc., here because of marketing concerns, not crash test 
>costs.  Those costs [testing, not remanufacturing] are insignificant IF 
>you can sell enough cars.  

I am for crash tests as well, but it is really ridiculous when the
government makes a manufacturer crash the same model car several times
on the same test because the engine power ratings are different, and/or
because there are three different transmissions (then they test every
possible combination of engines and transmissions)  By the time you get
done with all the tests, you have written off 50 - 75 cars.  I am
positive Audi would pass all of these tests and set the standard, but I
mean c'mon this is really ridiculous!

>
>	BTW, I stand corrected on the octane #'s.  Had a brain problem 
>yesterday:) 
>
>	Bruce


My father worked for PCNA (Porsche Cars North America), and has worked
for several Porsche-Audi dealers (Alan Johnson Porsche-Audi in San
Diego, Vasek Polak's dealer, etc.) and has talked with manufacturers
about these issues and the crash testing costs/emissions are the biggest
reasons they give for not importing certain models.  The Porsche 959 is
an excellent example.  There were ~204 of these cars made, and if
Porsche were to crash ~50 of these cars, what would be the purpose of
it?  It would be a waste of money when they could sell those cars in
Europe.  Porsche has to make different bumpers, taillight assemblies,
and headlights, just for US model cars.  There is a high cost in making
cars special for us, and I think from their point of view, if the cars
don't sell well over here, and if they can focus their attention on just
making more cars for Europe and the European market and end up selling
more over there than they would over here, it is obviously to the
manufacture's benefit NOT to import cars to the US Same goes for Audi.

Just my $.02

-Mark Nelson

'87 5KCSTQ (For Sale)
'91 CQ (Building into pro-rally car)