If Canada allows Euro headlamps, then why do all cars come with amber?

"cuts_off_prius" (cutsoffprius) 04/14/2015 at 21:06 • Filed to: None

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! 's analogous regulation is called Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (CMVSS 108), and is very similar to FMVSS 108. The primary differences are:

CMVSS 108 requires !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on all vehicles made since 1 January 1990, while FMVSS 108 permits but does not require DRLs

CMVSS 108, through an adjunct called CMVSS 108.1, permits !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , while FMVSS 108 prohibits them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_M…

Not sure if anyone would be able to answer, but just a shot in the dark. There are some knowledgeable people on here.

Canada also recently allowed for European standard (UN-ECE) bumpers, btw. Can't find the source right now. Both of these things are not legal in the U.S. and I imagine this makes it a bit easier for automakers to bring over some models to Canada that us Yanks don't get, like the Nissan Micra pictured above and the Mercedes B-class.

CB > cuts_off_prius 04/14/2015 at 21:12

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Canada mostly follows the US in terms of rules and safety stuff due to the Auto Pact and their markets being almost exactly alike for the past fifty or so years. I figure the reason why non-American vehicles would come with amber lights is due to the fact that every other vehicle has one, in order to keep things relatively homogeneous.

dogisbadob > cuts_off_prius 04/14/2015 at 21:16

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More importantly, why the fuck don;t they sell the Micra down here?

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > dogisbadob 04/14/2015 at 21:18

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Probably the same reason they don't sell the X-Trail in the US.

dogisbadob > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 04/14/2015 at 21:28

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I'm actually surprised they don;t sell the X-Trail and Orlando down here, since small crossovers are in vogue now. And too bad we don't get the B-class, either :( And no more rondo! Dammit!!!!

No really though, we need more cheap, affordable cars down here. The shrinking middle class can no longer afford to buy a new car. Not to mention how they inflate the prices with stupid infotainment shit nobody wants or needs. We need an honest small car. Shit, if it can start below 10k in Canada where the prices are higher, and in Europe where they're even higher than THAT, surely it can start at like $8995 in the US!

cuts_off_prius > dogisbadob 04/14/2015 at 21:31

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Because the Versa sedans are selling like hotcakes. For Canada, they nixed the Versa sedan and replaced it with the Micra, because Canadians are more fond of hatchbacks, especially with the cheese- er, Quebecans.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > dogisbadob 04/14/2015 at 21:31

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The first gen X-Trail was pretty nice. In North America, it was Canada only.

Benz has less of an excuse with the B Class, as it is Federalized since they sell it as an Electric Drive model in the US officially. Hell, put the turbo 4 from the C Class and autobox in if you have to, but the B Class is also something that surprised me. (Had one in Europe last time. B180 CDI)

dogisbadob > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 04/14/2015 at 21:34

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The B-class would sell VERY well in the US! And I think they're all federalized, too!

dogisbadob > cuts_off_prius 04/14/2015 at 21:36

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The only reason the versa sedan sells well in the US is because it's the cheapest car around. The rest of the segment, hatchbacks outnumber sedans now, even here. The Fiesta sells about 70% hatchbacks, I think the Sonic is around the same, the Fit is hatch-only, and Toyota dropped the Yaris sedan in 2012 because the HB sold so well.

Amoore100 > dogisbadob 04/14/2015 at 21:37

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Well it's no longer as big a deal since the latest X-Trail is just a Rogue...the earlier versions were awesome though!

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cuts_off_prius > dogisbadob 04/14/2015 at 21:37

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Small, cheap, no frills cars are an interesting phenomenon in Quebec.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/ne…

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Quebec+bu…

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/06/quebec…

http://business.financialpost.com/news/little-ca…

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > dogisbadob 04/14/2015 at 21:38

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Yes, the crash standards are met, thanks to the B Class ED. However the majority of models sold are the 4 cylinder diesels, which don't meet EPA standards.

But there is the B200 Turbo. Sold in Canada. And Europe. And I would trade my Mini for one, since the B Class has even more space in the front seat.

dogisbadob > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 04/14/2015 at 21:39

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Aren't the Canadian emissions standards more or less similar to ours though? And by all being federalized, I meant the B, Rondo, Micra, X-Trail, and Orlando, and any other Canada-only car we don't get.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > dogisbadob 04/14/2015 at 21:46

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They are harmonized, but would you put it past the US EPA to require specific testing and certification just for them, even if there were tests done showing it met Environment Canada standards?

dogisbadob > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 04/14/2015 at 21:47

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I wouldn't, but the testing shouldn't be too bad since all the hard work has already been done.

Vicente Esteve > cuts_off_prius 04/14/2015 at 22:10

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Im just thankful we don't need those here either.

boxrocket > cuts_off_prius 04/15/2015 at 00:33

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What's wrong with amber? It's a good visual reference for front/side of the vehicle.

I say that having swapped in chrome front side indicators on the Volvo.

Svend > cuts_off_prius 04/15/2015 at 01:43

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Those things look awful. Take the Ford Fiesta ST.

U.K. and Europe ST

U.S. and Canada ST

The Euro headlamps look a lot cleaner and crisper (more when you switch out the amber bulbs for chromed bulbs).

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > cuts_off_prius 04/15/2015 at 16:11

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Am I the only person who likes amber corners more than the clear ones??? the clear ones look euro-trashy to me.