Why doesn't GM start selling their European cars here in the US like the Cruz

[Shagbark Hickory]

There is nothing uncommon about GM cars that get 50+ mpg
Only they sell these cars overseas and not here.
Many of them are the same models just more efficient smaller engines and diesels.

[Deja Q]

1. Lack of facilities to make and repair them here?

Which is feeble, of course they could be made and repaired here. :shrug:

[Wapsie B]

6. Could Big Oil have any say in that?

:tinfoilhat:

[Jack Bone]

2. being able to pass crash/impact testing?

Warranty parts too?
maybe?

[geckosfeet]

3. Possibly tighter emissons standards in Europe that have slight performance impacts.

[ContinentalOp]

4. There are probaby different emission standards.

I don't know anything about that car but it's possible that the MPG comes at the expense of emissions.

[blue_onyx]

5. The Cruz will be sold in the US next year

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. Isn't that what they said last year?

And will it have the same engine as overseas?

[blue_onyx]

13. No, I think it was always intended to come out in 2010

I'm not sure if it's the same engine but the Cruz expected to get at least 40 mpg.

[Warpy]

8. EPA and NTSA

The cars don't meet our emission standards, although they're working on that and can probably meet the requirements in time to offer them next year.

They also don't meet our crash standards. Likely when the bumpers are beefed up and the cage reinforced, the cars will be heavier and the mileage will be lower than the European models.

[nightrain]

9. they don't sell them here because they want more "margin" on

the big vehicles...

[Shagbark Hickory]

11. Right but a lot of the vehicles I'm talking about are pretty damn big

They could put a 2.5l 6cyl diesel in a silverado and have it get 39 mpg.

[Howzit]

19. As long as there is no actual load carried and no steep gradients involved

Light vehicles with a small frontal area are fundamental to improving MPG for commuter vehicles. Hauling heavy cargo is another kettle of fish. Thus, commuting in a vehicle capable of carrying its own weight in cargo is silly.

[Duckhunter935]

10. compare apples to apples

us gallons and imperial gallons are different. Safety and emmisions standrds are different also. But I agree with a little tweeking they could easily put in small diesel or gas engines for better fuel mileage.

[Shagbark Hickory]

12. I am taking the conversion into account

I am taking the conversion to US gallons into account!

[Hoopla Phil]

14. delete posted in wrong place

[Duckhunter935]

17. do you have the mileage reference?

All I could find was this

GM's claimed 36 mpg for the 140-hp 1.8L auto and 40 mpg for the 115-hp 1.6L manual at a steady 56 mph


GM plans on launching the U.S.-market Cruze, scheduled to go into production at the company's Lordstown, Ohio, plant next year, with a new 1.4L direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. Details are sketchy, but it's believed this engine will deliver at least 130 hp and a healthy chunk of much needed mid-range torque, along with up to 44 mpg on the highway.

Much better than the hummer but not 50 MPG.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0905_chinese_chevrolet_cruze/engines.html

[Ready4Change]

15. Until recently they didn't think they could sell them here.

Of course, they were basing that impression on their past success,when they were trying to foist poorly made, badly performing crap on people who had the option of buying Hondas, Nissan/Datsuns and Toyotas. Gee, no one bought their junk, so American buyers must be unwilling to buy small cars. Fire up the SUV factories!

There are some differences in regulations that must be met between US and EU. But that could be overcome. The REAL hold up is the mindset of GM's CEO's. They don't think small cars will sell here, and they don't think higher gas prices are here to stay.

[dmallind]

16. Honestly? FMVSS and emissions mostly. Plus tastes

It's not some massive conspiracy no matter what you think of these companies. They spend many many millions designing and tooling up for cars. Increased volume would only add incremental margin. Both Ford and GM (probably Chrysler too, but can't say for sure) have been desperate to come up with a single platform/shared engine "world car" they could sell everywhere for decades and they'd just love to sell more of anything. The idea that tiny econoboxes compete with giant SUVs is asinine. The market is not one big lump called "cars" where every Aveo sold is one less Yukon they can sell.

But like it or not even with "high" gas prices the shift to more economical cars was relatively small and VERY brief. Many Americans do not want tiny cars, nor do the size of our streets and parking spaces make them much more practical than larger cars like they are in Europe (I have absolutely no idea how people with the big massive cars manage to move them let alone park them on some of the streets over there). No sense importing what will sell very little. Because if you want to, you have to pass safety standards that are tough for little cars to manage, and have to pass emissions standards that are tough for diesels and engines set up for the higher octane fuels.

[OHdem10]

18. Would it have something to do with negatively impacting American

Workers???

It does seem they could bring the technology and engineering
here to manufacture?????

[spin]

20. Motor Trend review on the Chevy Cruz...

GM has an awful lot riding on the Cruze, more, perhaps, than any single car in the company's history. This car has to be right; it has to be the import-fighting compact Detroit has promised for so long -- and so often failed to deliver. The good news is the basics are there. Now GM must sweat the details.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0905_chinese_chevrolet_cruze/engines.html

http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/sedans/16265030+pheader/112_0905_01l+chevrolet_cruze+front.jpg