Quote:
Originally posted by DiodeBoy:
Quote:
Originally posted by PackRat:
[b] I think part of NAFTA (if NAFTA is ever fully implemented)is to harmonize the regulations so that cars from Mexico could be eventually imported as easily as Canadian cars. All Mexican cars have emissions control equipment now (even the old Beetle) and leaded fuel is no longer sold, although the "el cheapo" fuel might as well be leaded, since it is full of so much crap!wink
If that was part of the NAFTA 'concept' (I don't recall ever hearing about that part), it has not been implemented. It would not surprise me if the European manufacturers (not counting Ford Of Europe) supplied common-spec vehicles to all three (technically 4, since there are two emissions regulation bodies within the States) markets. Ford is too obsessed with cutting corners to do something sensible like that.[/b]
I read it somewhere. Maybe it was part of the original "package" that was dropped or some dimwitted reporters misinterpretation, who knows.

Irizar, for instance, a European Bus manufacturer (part of the SCANIA group), now builds buses in Mexico (they were sold in the US briefly, imported through a company called Metro-Trans in the US. Metro-Trans went bankrupt last year). The Mexican-built Irizar Century buses comply with all applicable US Department of Transportation regulations, allowing the busses to cross the border without the usual DOT hassles and even leave the door open for possible importation, so the building of a European sourced vehicle in Mexico that complies with US regs is not unheard of. Of course it's kind of like apples and oranges when comparing cars to commercial vehicles but I think you get my drift.


P. Valdez

1998 VW Jetta TDI
1.9L I4 direct injection turbo diesel
5 speed manual
no mods, no money

AIM:PackRatTDI

My exhaust smells better than yours.