What do the new CAFE standards mean for the Z?

fly yellow · 05-20-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

It's scare tactics. When they realize that the majority can't comply they will push the date back. I'm sure the auto manufacturers (except Toyota) have already dispatched their lobbyists to Washington.

I wish that were the case, but two of the three domestic automakers are owned or at least controlled by the government. I don't think foreign manufacturers have much of a lobbying precense here in Washington, and like you said, Toyota, the #1 import in this country has already made this their business model. Honda is well on their way to following the same model. The European cars in this country fill a luxury market and they will just pay the fines and price their vehicles accordingly. Their clients can afford it.

I strongly believe we will see the death of cars like the Z, the Mustang GT, the Camaro SS (we harly knew ya), and maybe even the Corvette. GM has already done away with their high performance vehicle operations department. They said they will still produce the cars that are out there, but have no plans to develop new ones.

It is going to be an expensive proposition for car companies to develop these cars. I don't see them spending much to develop better sports cars that will only bring down their overall CAFE rating.

Enjoy these cars while you still can. I don't know how many years it will be before this country comes back to it's senses.