ShaunP said:
I'm pretty sure they meet world wide regs but only if they have the correct fuel, perhaps the US will be getting regs for low sulphur fuel around 2007. So what I'm saying I don't think its the truck I think it's your fuel. Diesel in Oz meets the EU2 spec and is low sulphur the Gov regs forced oil companies to update refineries to make it. These cars don't blow any smoke at all and are very clean, it's they way forward and they are cheaper than the V8 to buy.
Sorry, perhaps I didn?t make myself very clear. I don?t think there is anything wrong with this engine... in fact I want it brought to the states immediately...
that was the point I was trying to make.
This engine could very well meet current US standards (even in the more strict states of New York and California)
if low sulfur fuels were available here. I can?t find any published information to support or refute that statement... but that really has nothing to do with the point I was trying to make anyway.
The simple fact is, this vehicle
is compliant in approximately 45 states, even with the currently available diesel fuel.
Yes, you are correct... new EPA regulations will require the oil companies to lower the sulfer content of diesel fuels in 2007 (it actually goes into effect June of 2006, with the phase in period extending through 2009).
Assuming the availability of this low sulfer diesel fuel is all that it needed to make the 2.7L TDV6 compliant to emissions standards in all 50 states, then there it is... Land Rover?s 50 state compliant vehicle for 2008.
However, in addition to the low sulfer diesel fuel regulations for 2007, there are a number of stricter emissions standards due to be introduced in some states (with more to follow in subsequent years). So, there is still a question as to how these new regs will play into all this.
My point is:
Why not bring it in to the states where it is already compliant
NOW?
We?re talking about a currently available engine here... not something still in development! It seems to me that LRNA is being short-sighted by waiting until 2008 to import the diesel LR3. They could be using this interim period to grow their market share and increase acceptance of diesel technology (just like VW, Mercedes, and Jeep are doing).
Sell it in the states where it is already compliant now... then as the low sulfer fuels become available, and the vehicle can pass emissions standards in the more restrictive states, make it available there. It?s foolish to give the competition an opportunity to establish itself in the market before you, just because you want to have bragging rights for ?the first 50 state compliant diesel.? It won?t mean s*** if your competition already has a solid foothold and a great reputation in the market.
Land Rover has a solid product; there is a demand for that product; there is an opportunity to sell that product in a very large market; it makes no sense to wait 2 ? years to sell something that you can sell now.