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this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2023
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Its probably worth noting that Europeans get more powerful cars than we do here in the US. I drive a 02 Golf TDI and it was only available as a 1.9L 90hp front wheel drive. The base model in Europe has a bigger turbo and offers 4wd versions.
I've also noticed the European versions of cars are rated to tow more. The Hyundai Ioniq I had wasn't rated to tow anything in America. It would void my warranty. The European version was rated for 1000lbs or something like that. Europeans demand the ability to tow while I guess in America we just don't expect a small car to do it.
Probably a result of how legislation is designed for different towing strategies. From what I've seen, the US favors trailers with higher hitch weight and axles further back, requiring more substantial and heavy towing vehicles, but allowing for higher speeds. In Europe, trailers are more balanced with hitch weights in the 100-150lbs range, but speed limits are lower (50ish mph).
Well, in the US you only need to pay cash to get the law that you need. The best democracy money can buy.
The same goes with laws like extending copyrights, forbidding selling cars without dealerships, low safety margins with rail cars transporting dangerous goods, no drinking breaks for people working in the heat, most modifications (mainly exceptions) in the tax code, etc, etc, etc. The list is long. Each one bought by someone with serious money against YOUR interests.