Q: Since when are there 55 miles an hour speed limits in the USA and why were they
put in place?
A: Since 1974, and the reason was, believe it or not, to get people to save gas! Since the oil crisis, the Nixon administration thought it was a good thing for the Americans to save gas by going slower. That was thirty years ago...
Like I wrote the last time, I visited different dealerships to ask some questions about their anti-pollution systems. I went to Ford, General Motors, Chrysler-Jeep, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Saturn-Saab and Volkswagen. Wherever I went, I never mentioned the real purpose of my visit. I approached them as an ordinary customer. I wanted to keep my anonymity to make sure I would have no special treatment, that I wouldn't end up being served by a public relation's representative or an environment specialist.
It's not what awaits you, is it? So why should it be different for me? I am not saying that it is necessarily a bad thing for writers to go and meet the companies' officials, but I prefer to keep a low profile to have a more realistic point of view. Sure, I won't be able to take advantage of the perks; the trips, the little gifts and what not. But since I care more about my independence...I intend to keep it that way as much as possible.
Q: Of all the dealerships I went to, how many people did I meet who knew what I was talking about when I asked about their anti-pollution systems and how they compared with the competition?
A: One. Out of the thirteen, only one knew what I was talking about. Here are, on the other hand, some of the answers I got.
I do not suggest you to wait for them. Instead, I invite you to read about it on the Internet on sites like ours to be well informed and eventually inform your sales representative...
The quiz
As you might have found, these answers are not easy to find. First because the manufacturers don't mention them and second, because the Canadian government doesn't either. So where can you find these answers? Well, some of you have found them at:
www.fueleconomy.gov.
put in place?
A: Since 1974, and the reason was, believe it or not, to get people to save gas! Since the oil crisis, the Nixon administration thought it was a good thing for the Americans to save gas by going slower. That was thirty years ago...
Like I wrote the last time, I visited different dealerships to ask some questions about their anti-pollution systems. I went to Ford, General Motors, Chrysler-Jeep, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Saturn-Saab and Volkswagen. Wherever I went, I never mentioned the real purpose of my visit. I approached them as an ordinary customer. I wanted to keep my anonymity to make sure I would have no special treatment, that I wouldn't end up being served by a public relation's representative or an environment specialist.
It's not what awaits you, is it? So why should it be different for me? I am not saying that it is necessarily a bad thing for writers to go and meet the companies' officials, but I prefer to keep a low profile to have a more realistic point of view. Sure, I won't be able to take advantage of the perks; the trips, the little gifts and what not. But since I care more about my independence...I intend to keep it that way as much as possible.
Q: Of all the dealerships I went to, how many people did I meet who knew what I was talking about when I asked about their anti-pollution systems and how they compared with the competition?
A: One. Out of the thirteen, only one knew what I was talking about. Here are, on the other hand, some of the answers I got.
- At Ford, General Motors, Honda, Chrysler-Jeep, Mazda, Nissan and Hyundai, the typical answer was: « Huun? » Said with a blank stare...
- At Toyota, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Saturn-Saab, the answer was something like this: « Our cars specifications meet all the regulations in application in this country. » Would they say with a mixed look of false pride and fear that I would ask them what they meant exactly.
- At Volkswagen, an enthusiastic salesman answered me like this: « All our cars, and especially our diesels, are among the cleanest on the market! ». Well...that's false. In fact, a journalist friend of mine bought himself a Jetta TDI after he was reassured about the pollution emitted by that car with the same answer...
- And finally, it's at a Volvo dealership that I met the only person that knew what I was talking about and answered my questions professionally. He even showed me some of their cleaner models to come, even if their present vehicles were already quite clean. (Not counting their turbo models, did he take the time to mention)
I do not suggest you to wait for them. Instead, I invite you to read about it on the Internet on sites like ours to be well informed and eventually inform your sales representative...
The quiz
As you might have found, these answers are not easy to find. First because the manufacturers don't mention them and second, because the Canadian government doesn't either. So where can you find these answers? Well, some of you have found them at:
www.fueleconomy.gov.