Courtesy of Chrysler, LLC
The absurdity of divergent auto regulations between the US and EU have not escaped everyone's scrutiny, as evidenced by an excellent article in The New York Times. This blog has tackled auto regulations in the past.
The Fiat 500 is a good example of a European model adapted for the US market. Due to financial considerations and the many required changes in design due to the aforementioned regulations, Chrysler is building the Fiat 500 in Mexico, as opposed to shipping it here from Europe. Adapting a car for another market means more than adhering to different regulations. Consumer tastes and preferences play an important role as well. For the Fiat 500, market-driven changes include the following:
- Cup holders
- Cruise Control
- Additional Insulation
- Different Tires
- Stronger A/C
- Different Rear Axle
Changes implemented due to regulatory requirements include:
- Front & Rear Facias
- Air Bags
- Fuel Filler
- Rearview Mirrors
- Windshield Wipers
- Tail lamps
- Headlights
- Rear Body Structure
The one thing not mentioned, but likely affected as well, are engine tuning and emissions equipment. Considering the above-mentioned changes, we are left with a car that looks very similar, but doesn't share many parts with its Italian cousin.
Some of the US-mandated changes are good. We have more stringent crash-test requirements, which necessitated changing the rear body structure and fuel system. Other requirements strike me as less useful. Can't we at least agree on common windshield wipers?
Recent Comments