here come the Chinese!

[FB71]

not specifically the Chinese, but I'm sure this will drive the US market to low-cost fuel-efficient cars, like are being produced by Chery, Geely, DongFeng, Great Wall Motors, etc.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071219/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_fuel_economy

Also, Carl Ghosn of Renault/Nissan did not deny that the Logan may be coming to the US. It's definately going to Mexico next year, so we'll see...

[kzbill]

Ford and gm already produce cars in europe that get 70 mpg. and they are crying foul. the european festiva with the 1.4 diesel gets 72.9 mpg. Google them, turbo Diesel smarts get 80 and I haven't looked up the Opels yet.
U.S owned auto plants have been producing high mileage cars over there for years.
I have enquired and you can't even ship one in to drive. they told me Michael jackson had three smart diesels in Never land not for road use. My Brother spent some time in france and it is common for cars like the ford KA' to get 50-60 mpg. he had a 1500 TDI courier pickup that got 38 on the highway, and they drive fast.

[FB71]

yup, I spent quite a bit of time in German and Italy back in the 90's. Had a Fiesta as a rental for a week and loved it! It's those sub compact Euro cars that got me turned on to Festivas and Aspires to begin with!

[kzbill]

you were in the Ford System, do you have a clue as to why they won't bring them in here. I know there is an emmisions excuse, but europe is under Kyoto agreement isn't it?

[FB71]

crash standards initially, now the Euro to dollar exchange doesn't make it economically viable at the moment, or so they say.

[kzbill]

ya, any excuse in a storm I guess.
I would love a 1400 cc diesel I don't know about you?
I think it would be easy enough and profitable to build them here if the euro to dollar exchange means we could be competative.
they want us to be the next third world country and they are succeeding.
If we are going to be third world then we should at least have the cars they have.

[FB71]

I guess that's why we may get the Logan, then!

(developed specifically for 3rd world countries)

[kzbill]

Right, no middle class, only working class, low pay, thats getting government off business' back.
There was a reason after a hundred years that government was on business' back. It developed because business has, as it's core, the profit motive. That is why business exists, to make profit. It's like a big machine that is supposed to make more profits than the next, just don't get your hands in the gears, it won't stop.

[FB71]

yup, the gears don't stop. That's what dynamite is for... (figuratively, of course)

[FB71]

although, it was Thomas Jefferson who once said, "sometimes a little revolution is a good thing"

[kzbill]

I can see it now, all the biblical Festi-vites running wild over Washington, I see not just I am saying the "R" word!

[kzbill]

C-4 is better and more stable

[FB71]

yes, but Semtex is easier to manufacture from household chemicals....



(hmmm.... looking for my Anarchist's Cookbook...... Semtex, C4's Ugly Sister.....)

[quaddawg]

I have my copy Jim... if you need a copy...


and I will say it.

REVOLUTION!!!!!!

[FB71]

viva la revolution!