American Economics Thread

Blackstone

Brigadier
They programmed the vehicles to release the proper emissions when it was in a diagnostic mode where emission controls were checked.

Then, in normal operations, it was programmed for better performance, allowing 40% more emissions to get the performance.

They advertised a diesel engine, that had the tight emissions controls but much better performance...and that is exactly how the vehicles would test. But it was a lie. A big lie.

They will have to pay big times for that.

The CEO resigned today,.
But, will the CEO go to jail for conspiracy and fraud?
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
First, the Cars in question are relating to Volkswagen Diesel powered passenger vehicles. I want to point this out as Diesel powered passenger cars are a relative rarity in the US far more common in Europe.
In the US Diesel is more common in large Pickups and Commercial vehicles.
Next, Par for the Course. In independent testing many of vehicles of similar makes on the open road have produced far more prohibited emissions then advertised often 5 to 10 Fold the legal limits. What is happening is that the Automakers are designing there vehicles to perform one way in the lab tests and a different manor in the wild. Volkswagen is just the first to get caught.
Basically its a rigged game that needs a major re-think. Another technology step like Hybrid may offer part of a reprieve.
 

AssassinsMace

Lieutenant General
One of my family's cars is a Volkswagen (not diesel) and recently had to go through a more extensive smog check before we could get the new registration. Funny thing was the guy who did the test didn't attach anything to the car but it cost more. It was all visual inspection and mostly looking at the engine block. I never had to do the more extensive smog test before and I inquired more about it. He told me every now and then the state government orders these more extensive tests for certain makes of cars because they get flagged. I have no idea if it had anything to with this scandal but I thought it was a strange inspection.
 

Qi_1528

New Member
Registered Member
These days 90 of the car is the computer system. the "Inspection" is mostly pulling the Computer files of the car and what it thinks it sees.

That's why I like my old Toyota Landcruiser. There's no computer chip, and its designed for backyard servicing. I could drive that truck for a long time and probably still create fewer emissions than are created in the building of a new car. I'm dead if I have a big accident though.

There are businesses in Australia which will take cars with chips in them, and tune them to get the maximum power possible within the manufacturer's safety limits, also claiming better fuel economy.... One would think increasing the power would increase fuel consumption, and emissions, as we see here. What am I missing?
 

delft

Brigadier
That's why I like my old Toyota Landcruiser. There's no computer chip, and its designed for backyard servicing. I could drive that truck for a long time and probably still create fewer emissions than are created in the building of a new car. I'm dead if I have a big accident though.

There are businesses in Australia which will take cars with chips in them, and tune them to get the maximum power possible within the manufacturer's safety limits, also claiming better fuel economy.... One would think increasing the power would increase fuel consumption, and emissions, as we see here. What am I missing?
You're producing more NOX.
 

delft

Brigadier
I understand that the scandal arose from an independent investigation at a University in Pennsylvania. The suspicion must be that the official testing program was designed with a large input from all the large car makers to make this scam possible. It suggests that all these car makers and the responsible agency are guilty separately and together.
 

Qi_1528

New Member
Registered Member
You're producing more NOX.

I'm not sure I would be when you consider all the emissions created in mining, building, and shipping before a new vehicle gets to the show room. That's why I say if you need a vehicle or can't get access to decent public transport, buy second hand.
 
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