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From: dennis@vrdxhq.UUCP (R. Dennis Gibbs)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Emissions standards and who is required to meet them
Message-ID: <2107@vrdxhq.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-Oct-85 21:06:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: vrdxhq.2107
Posted: Wed Oct 16 21:06:34 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 19-Oct-85 04:03:30 EDT
Organization: Verdix Corporation, McLean, VA
Lines: 21
Keywords: U.S., Japan, Catalytic Converters

I had a discussion with a friend today about emissions standards, and who is
required to meet them.  My understanding is that all gasoline-powered  auto-
mobiles sold in  America, both foreign and  domestic, are  required to  meet 
the same emissions standards, as well  as the  CAFE  (Corporate Average Fuel
Economy).  My friend's understanding is that foreign cars  are not  required
to meet the emissions standards that  American  automobiles  are required to
meet.  He refers especially to the fact that all American cars had catalytic
converters starting in 1975, whereas many foreign cars (especially Japanese)
did not have  catalytic  converters in  1975 (Some  did not have  them until 
1980).

It was  also  my  understanding that  the emissions  standards in  Japan are 
stricter than they are in the U.S., and therefore the Japanese had more time
to develop fuel-efficient automobiles that met emissions  standards  without
catalytic converters. 

Now for the clincher: Who is correct, me or my friend?  Where can I find in-
formation on this subject?

                               Dennis Gibbs
                               Verdix Corporation