I suspect the answer to why they are doing this is relatively banal: The industry wants to keep control of the flow of vehicles via its bought and paid for lob

I suspect the answer to why they are doing this is relatively banal: The industry wants to keep control of the flow of vehicles via its bought and paid for lobbying arms. Every imported Integra Type-R is a possible BRZ not sold. Every Kei truck is a possible… I actually don’t know WHAT they expect to sell those people, but I’m sure it’s something. The emissions are a legitimate argument; even in California there is a process if you REALLY want a 25 year old vehicle. It costs $10-20k but is on the books. Heck, you can even have the car tuned into a monster before undertaking the process and then that’s it’s authorized form! The FMVSS stuff is a different story and MUCH harder to sidestep, which is probably why industry funds are now pushing that way.