Originally Posted by maxcichon
As I recall...
the 5 mph rules were instigated not by safety-minded bureaucrats, but by the auto insurance industry citing the unreasonable costs of minor collision repairs.
As I recall...
being a dotterer...
If the insurance company was concerned over the amount of physical damage, they would be all over the auto industry for the introduction of plastic covered painted bumpers. I would hasten to guess, that liability, and personal injury are their biggest cost. The insurance companies and government can only exert pressure on the auto industry. It is consumer demand and competition (foreign) that really motivates the domestic auto industry to improve safety ratings.
They make allot of money in their body shop from minor bumper collisions. If they were serious, they would utilize modern technology and have the car withstand much higher impacts with less resultant damage to the vehicle bumper.
My point isnt that the bumpers are designed to absorb a 5mph impact, it is that Canadian standards discerns between 5mph US testing, and 8 kilometer/hr Canadian testing. The difference in speed is insignificant. Had we not changed to the metric standard of wieghts and measures the rating would still be 5mph.
The fact that Chrysler dealerships try to sell complete bumper kits including the cover under the guise of meeting RIV requirments, and Canadian standards is testimony to their impending greed. if they are to lose a car sale due to cross border shopping, they are hell bent on recovering the lost profit through compliance conversions.
A dealer told me it is often just a simple program change that will convert the car to day time running lights however, the manufacturer instructs the dealer to charge as much as 300.00 to perform this.
The Canadian auto industry has a desire to curb cross border car purchases for the average consumer. In contrast, the Canadian dealers are all over the US auctions purchasing thousands of cars for resale on their lots. The only tax they pay is the 6.2% on foreign built vehicles. It would be interesting to know if Chrysler Canada, and other manufacturers honour the warranty on cars purchased in the US by Canadian car dealers....My guess is the dealer will sell a new warranty or include it in the re-sale price. They make huge money on warranties as well.
Okay, I think I have explained myself enough.
I'm pissed at the Canadian dealers, and manufacturers and it will reflect in my choice of service outlet, and future car purchase habits.
Adios