Not about the environment
I don't post here often, but this time I felt compelled.
I drive a 2015 Jetta TDI SEL.
It's the best damn car I've ever driven. Great accelleration and fuel economy, and to be honest the one thing I don't like is their embedded systems technology like their radio, cd-player, navigation system. I think some of the other automotive companies have done a better job with their consoles.
That being said....
In my opinion this diesel-gate scandal is not even about the environment.
1.Consider that the Clean Air Act was made in 1970 during the Nixon Administration. It hadn't been updated since 1996. During the last 30-40 years, Smog in the atmosphere has been steadily declining. Co2 has however been increasing at alarming rates.
2.Consider that TDIs are simply in another class of automobile. American OEMs cannot compete w. these VWs. I get 45mpg+ on my morning commute to work. The torque and zippiness of the TDI is great. Many American cars simply cannot compete. We know the US industry is focused on hybrids and electrics and traditional fuel. Hybrids and electrics are more expensive and less robust in terms of durability of the engines. Gasoline is less efficient, and frankly contributing to the rise of Co2 and hydro carbons in the atmosphere.
3.Consider that recently VW lobbied congress for tax breaks and incentives for their TDI models as high efficient vehicles. OBama wants around 50 mpg+ for vehicles by 2025. TDIs can nearly achieve this NOW! If VW would have been awarded tax breaks and consumber incentives to lower the cost of the vehicles for consumers, they maybe could have achieved lower emissions and a fix without passing on the extra cost to the customer. VW was denied however. Remeber it is in US interests to promote domestics at home.
4. Consider also that recent GM recalls where people have actually died as a result of negligience or unsafe vehicles made WAY less of a splash than this current VW "scandal".
I mean FFS. There are tons of chargers, range rovers, SUVs....etc that are gas guzzlers that American people drive. Now suddenly we are supposed to believe that the government and auto manufacturers and consumers here care about the environment? There are literally less than .5 million TDIs in the states. Are you trying to tell me that the miniscule amount of vehicles that are frankly superior to their peers in class are contributing THAT much to pollution and climate change? No examination of big rigs, low mpg vehicles, gas guzzlers?
Its all hypocrisy and I believe this is truly about competitive advantage and protecting the American auto industry so that hybrid and electric technologies can have more time for R&D without Diesel taking up market share. I mean have you ever driven a chevy cruze diesel? I have......its garbage. When you think about it, its actually a pretty slick move the obama administration made when they found out about the cheating. I'm from the US, and of course I want our economy to do well..
"Never let a crisis go to waste."
TLDR: It's all bs, read between the lines, don't get emotionally swayed by the media. Think about it critically.
