Has Detroit's Resistance to Higher MPG Standards Limited Sales?

Question

Has Detroit's resistance to Higher MPG standards limited thier sales - especially in the area of exports where the biggest markets - major industrialized nations will not allow the import of American Cars/trucks because American Technology can not meet their MPG minimuims or their SMOG requirements? Has this same resistance 'handed' the US market to foreign competitors?

Was it really wise to beat our chests and decry conservation efforts? Wise for busines - wise for our economy - wise for global competition?

Is our economy and corporations chocking on both feet in their mouth?

Answer 1

If Detroit can produce Multifuel Engines for Brazilian automakers for 20 years why have they never produced than for the American Market.   As long as they can produce and sell obsolete technology they will never improve the product.  Too bad it takes a crisis ($4.00+ /gal. of gas) for the American people to stop accepting their c**p.  The car in greatest demand now is the 48 mpg Prius.  Too bad Detroit... You screwed the American people too long.  Sorry for the unemployed Autoworkers, but their unions took care of them very well as we all paid the price of buying the dinosaurs they were producing.

Answer 2

I would think it might be the other way around - Cafe standards have forced Detroit to produce higher priced cars, that are less affordable, therefore selling less.