> It is too bad we are so limited in the US. Each time, I saw one that
> wasn't
> available, I expressed some sadness that these cars are just not
> obtainable
> in the US.
The whole resistence to imported automobiles in the USA and Canada (to a
lesser extent) is a problem which will continue to drag down the economies
of both countries. Like education which is internationally shared, the
ideas of automakers throughout the world could work well for North America
which continues to churn out large SUV's that the drivers do not need for
their suburban communities or downtown lofts. Advertisers are on board to
convince us big is better and let's keep working to consume every ounce of
oil so there is nothing left for the future. There is also huge resistence
to purchasing small cars due to the proliferation of big vehicle on the road
and the fear that we will be crushed by them if we drive something small.
Canada is less influenced by big vehicles due to the fact that gasoline
prices are higher in Canada (ie taxes) than the US and the number of smaller
European and Japanese vehicles on the road is far greater than in the USA.
It is continued protectionism which keeps the big vehicles coming and the
interests of Oil Companies to sell more gas to customers with less fuel
efficient vehicles. No doubt the fear is that consumers could become
accustomed to better fuel efficiency and pay a premium up front for an
imported fuel efficient car. That would eat into the profits of the oil
companies for sure. The oil companies thrive on oil shortages which drives
the cost of gasoline up. They manipulate the market sending us into long
lineups for an artificially created fuel shortage with the click of a mouse
and we fall for it. The Smart Car is available in Canada but not the USA,
why? Peugeot works hard to keep their vehicles fuel efficient and that was
what attracted me to Peugeot in the first place. I was soon seduced by the
ride and handling. Will the cost of gas finally be the catalyst to bring
Peugeot back to NA?
No doubt this whole scenario has been studied by the analysts, does anyone
have research which shows some understanding of why this situation exists
almost uniquely in the USA? What is driving Americans to pick the big over
the small? How can this be turned around? Without the USA importing
smaller European and Asian cars, we in Canada will not see them here due to
the North American Auto pact which makes it expensive to certify the smaller
less profitable cars and you need the higher volumes of two countries to
make it economical . I would love to move up to a newer Peugeot to replace
my MI16 but cannot because WE ARE NOT A FREE COUNTRY! and that sucks. 15
years is too long to wait before you can import a used Peugeot into Canada
and the cost of shipping just one at a time just adds to the insult.
Peugeot is good enough for Mexico and Cuba but not Canada and USA. Why are
we as citizens of these two great countries allowing this to happen! So the
oil company executive can live better than us?
End of Rant
Dan
- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Salkin" <peugeot@ksc-inc.com>
To: <peugeot-l@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 7:03 AM
Subject: [Peugeot-L] Peugeot's in Taiwan/I saw them!
Recommended format for your email subject lines:
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505 88 V6 Mileage
405 Mi16 89 Ignition Coil source?
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Received on Sun Oct 2 11:20:04 2005
