Spotted In Detroit: Global Ford Ranger

@thelaine We all know the reason driving it. Imagine if Apple phones attracted no tax, but every other brand was hit with a 25% tax. I think Americans would be pissed off.

@Big Al from Oz Yeah Big Al, all the comparison talk is really academic. Get rid of the tax (and CAFE while they're at it) and then let the buyers decide for themselves. There is no legitimate justification for the tax.

@thelaine - All the complaints of the Tacoma are silly. And you can't deny it's a great truck! If anyone was that into the small truck fetish, they would deal with all its supposed "shortcomings". The problem is no one is lining up to buy small trucks "new". Except for US cheapskates, fleet and other bottom feeders that demand rebates on already low margin trucks. When the small truck market started to slide, OEMs were all-in. Mazda, Mitsu, Isuzu, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Dodge and GM. All these little trucks were as good as any on the planet of ANY SIZE!!! If the 'tax' is easily skirted, is it really a factor? Was it EVER a factor? Could the '80s mini-truck craze/fad/invasion been any bigger?

@DenverMike Maybe you are right DenverMike. I have always followed your arguments with our AUS friends with great interest. However, regardless, what is the justification for the tax? How can it be defended? Why not get rid of it? Whom does it protect? Who is behind it and why? Why can't it be repealed? Are you in favor of higher taxes on consumer goods? What is the justification for this tax? It has been around for a hell of a long time. What was its purpose? Will it ever die? Why can't it be killed? Let's kill it and kill CAFE and see what happens. Why would you oppose that?

@thelaine, One thing that annoys me is Taxes placed on Automobiles as is if they are not expensive enough.

@RobertRyan I do believe we are being sheared, Mr. Ryan, for the benefit of others.

@thelaine - I'm not in favor of the tax or any tax. Or CAFE. That's a different argument though, but in the meantime, the Chicken tax is here but basically impotent. It's a nominal amount, after the loophole workarounds. No different that the 2.5% tax on import cars. Both should be killed off, but both cost OEMs only hundreds of dollars per vehicle. My question to you is, why doesn't anyone make an equal stink about the tariff on import cars? Neither tax are prohibitive for viable and desired foreign vehicles that would sell in decent numbers. Same with regulations. Then why doesn't anyone cry about all the French, Italian and Soviet, Chinese, etc, cars missing from the US market? Surely they would all be here if it wasn't for all those pesky US tariffs and regulations, right? Oh and why doesn't the EU 10% tariff on autos and 22.5% tariff on trucks (no loopholes) get any airplay?

@DenverMike I cannot answer that DM, but you will find me to be tediously consistent in my opposition to tariffs, corrupt tax deals, taxpayer bailouts, subsidies for favored corporations and handouts to connected interest groups. This includes auto companies, agribusiness, unions, "alternate" energy scam corporations, electric car nerds, homeowners, petroleum companies, public employee vampires, social service welfare parasites - you name it. These protective tariffs should be eliminated. All tariffs named after farm animals would be as good a place to start as any.

@DenverMike Protective by definition, but do US tariffs actually protect US vehicles? And from what? It'll be interesting to see if Australia drops its 5% tariff on all import vehicles once they no longer produce vehicles to protect.

@thelaine I don't know if you read the piece/s I wrote a week or so ago concerning Australia in the HSV article. It's the same view I hold against any nation. But you are very correct about any form of subsidisation. This is what has killed the 'West', not just America. Like you stated might as well start with animal names then words in French that sound like coffee.