Originally Posted by BISCUT
Please tell us how this government policy makes our cars "better?"
I know it seems odd, but it does. And this is coming from someone who most likely HATES government intervention in the private sector more than anyone on this board. So it's not easy for me to admit. But the fact is large corporations are a lot like little kids. If you don't keep an eye on them, and force them to do the right thing, most will end up doing something lazy and nasty instead. Or else nothing at all.
It's no different than forcing your kid to eat all his vegetables, or study and do his homework, instead of watching TV. They'll scream and whine, but in the long run they'll turn out better. Government mileage standards have given us HEMI engines that get 20+ MPG on the highway, instead of 8. With more horsepower, better dependability, and smoother performance. A 60's era HEMI idled like a coffee can full of rocks. (The fact they fetch over $100K at Barrett Jackson doesn't make them run any better).
Government air quality standards, coupled with the banning of leaded gas, has given us those same engines that can go 100,000 miles between spark plug changes..... Instead of 10,000 miles. Computerized fuel injection systems squeeze a lot more out of every drop of fuel consumed, when compared to carburetors that were nothing but a PITA. If it was solely up to the automakers, none of that would have happened. They all would have continued to make and sell crap.
Yes, in the 80's competition coming from better manufacturing standards from the Japanese, and to some extent the European car makers, forced them to stop trying to stick round pegs into square holes, and accomplish some much needed innovation to draw customers back to American cars.
But the fact is the government made them tow the line far better. Especially when it comes to things like safety. Seat belts would still most likely be an extra cost option if it were up to them. The automakers care about your safety, about as much as the government does about your health care. Both are out to promise you everything, and deliver as little as possible.
The government and the automakers are strange bedfellows, no doubt. A bit like a snake and a mongoose. But when you combine them they end up biting each other, instead of us.
