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Technology improved over time but that had nothing to do with environmental regulations. If you want an even comparison pick a random European car and a random

Technology improved over time but that had nothing to do with environmental regulations. If you want an even comparison pick a random European car and a random American car and see which one you would rather drive. The European car will likely be some <2 liter, maybe diesel, tiny box that is like a slightly improved Yugo, and the American car will be a luxury tank. Trying to force Americans to cut down to European standards of living through government mandates is not politically popular. As long as we have democracy it would probably be better to come up with some alternative policy approaches.

davidgould 9y ago
> Technology improved over time but that had nothing to do with environmental regulations. The Honda CVCC engine which was the foundation that allowed Honda to eat GM's lunch in the 70's and 80's was developed specifically as a response to the 1970 clean air act. Current 100,000 mile service intervals are required to meet California emissions regulations that require emissions related components work that long.
justin66 9y ago
More sensibly, pick a Japanese car, which will be the same or have a ton of parts similarity in the US and Europe. The continual improvement of those cars was aided by regulations and market conditions (it's not an accident that sales of Honda and Toyota first started to take off in the US in the late seventies) and by engineering and corporate culture (it's not an accident that they still make better cars today).
gumby 9y ago
> “Trying to force Americans to cut down to European standards of living...” Spoken by someone who has presumably not lived in both places. “Cut down” indeed!
- saas_co_de 9y ago
  Spoken by someone who has lived in both places. America is vastly more wealthy than any European country and the standard of living is higher at all levels of society. Europe is fine if you have lots of money but it would be hell to be lower class there. Personally I prefer to live in neither but if I had to choose I would take America any day.
  - lazerpants 9y ago
    >America is vastly more wealthy than any European country You do realize your statement includes Monaco and Switzerland, correct?
    - saas_co_de 9y ago
      Of course. Monaco and Switzerland have nothing compared to the US. They are tiny. They have a high level of wealth per capita but an insignificant level of absolute wealth.
  - TheSpiceIsLife 9y ago
    Perhaps you are not aware that some European countries have far superior healthcare systems, and some even have better education systems. Here's a fun list of countries and things they are best at or top of. Try sorting by third column 'Field' then scrolling down to education or health.
  - CuriouslyC 9y ago
    It isn't all or nothing. European food is generally much better, their internet is faster, and their public spaces tend to be much prettier. On the other hand, you tend to make less money, living spaces are smaller and infrastructure isn't quite as modern (though the US is now lagging in this regard as well). It really depends on what your priorities are.
maxxxxx 9y ago
Europe has higher gas prices which are another way of regulation. If the US had the same gas prices American cars would be much smaller and more efficient.

davidgould 9y ago

> Technology improved over time but that had nothing to do with environmental regulations. The Honda CVCC engine which was the foundation that allowed Honda to eat GM's lunch in the 70's and 80's was developed specifically as a response to the 1970 clean air act. Current 100,000 mile service intervals are required to meet California emissions regulations that require emissions related components work that long.

justin66 9y ago

More sensibly, pick a Japanese car, which will be the same or have a ton of parts similarity in the US and Europe. The continual improvement of those cars was aided by regulations and market conditions (it's not an accident that sales of Honda and Toyota first started to take off in the US in the late seventies) and by engineering and corporate culture (it's not an accident that they still make better cars today).

gumby 9y ago

> “Trying to force Americans to cut down to European standards of living...” Spoken by someone who has presumably not lived in both places. “Cut down” indeed!

saas_co_de 9y ago
Spoken by someone who has lived in both places. America is vastly more wealthy than any European country and the standard of living is higher at all levels of society. Europe is fine if you have lots of money but it would be hell to be lower class there. Personally I prefer to live in neither but if I had to choose I would take America any day.
- lazerpants 9y ago
  >America is vastly more wealthy than any European country You do realize your statement includes Monaco and Switzerland, correct?
  - saas_co_de 9y ago
    Of course. Monaco and Switzerland have nothing compared to the US. They are tiny. They have a high level of wealth per capita but an insignificant level of absolute wealth.
- TheSpiceIsLife 9y ago
  Perhaps you are not aware that some European countries have far superior healthcare systems, and some even have better education systems. Here's a fun list of countries and things they are best at or top of. Try sorting by third column 'Field' then scrolling down to education or health.
- CuriouslyC 9y ago
  It isn't all or nothing. European food is generally much better, their internet is faster, and their public spaces tend to be much prettier. On the other hand, you tend to make less money, living spaces are smaller and infrastructure isn't quite as modern (though the US is now lagging in this regard as well). It really depends on what your priorities are.

maxxxxx 9y ago

Europe has higher gas prices which are another way of regulation. If the US had the same gas prices American cars would be much smaller and more efficient.