CAFE Case Study: Lexus NX Gets Different Fascia To Qualify As "Light Truck"
Although we’ve covered CAFE and its effects on the new car market before, the launch of the Lexus NX provides us with an interesting example of just how far auto makers will go to have their offerings classified as “light trucks” under the U.S. regulatory scheme which incentivizes manufacturers to offer these sorts of vehicles beyond mere market forces.
To recap quickly, CAFE splits vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) under 8,500 lbs into two categories: cars and light trucks. Each vehicle has a “footprint” formula based on the vehicle size, with fuel economy targets it must meet. These are added up to a “fleet average” for each manufacturer, and there are a whole host of byzantine rules regarding “credits” for different technologies, like start-stop systems, hybrids and EVs that can be applied. They key concept here is that two vehicles can be the same “footprint”, but the “light truck” has to meet a fuel economy standard that is less stringent than the “car” standard. This ( along with market forces) has been one reason why crossovers have become such a prominent segment in the American auto market.
As the crew at Top Gear Philippines discovered, the Lexus NX doesn’t just meet the standard of being a “light truck” by virtue of its approach angle. The solution is a different fascia for North American markets, such as the one shown above. Compare that to the one below, which has a “fuller”, square-jawed appearance.
The change in fascia isn’t the most onerous hurdle to overcome, but it does illustrate the fickle nature of the regulations, and how far auto makers will go to meet them – and exploit the various loopholes contained within.
More by Derek Kreindler
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- Calrson Fan Jeff - Agree with what you said. I think currently an EV pick-up could work in a commercial/fleet application. As someone on this site stated, w/current tech. battery vehicles just do not scale well. EBFlex - No one wanted to hate the Cyber Truck more than me but I can't ignore all the new technology and innovative thinking that went into it. There is a lot I like about it. GM, Ford & Ram should incorporate some it's design cues into their ICE trucks.
- Michael S6 Very confusing if the move is permanent or temporary.
- Jrhurren Worked in Detroit 18 years, live 20 minutes away. Ren Cen is a gem, but a very terrible design inside. I’m surprised GM stuck it out as long as they did there.
- Carson D I thought that this was going to be a comparison of BFGoodrich's different truck tires.
- Tassos Jong-iL North Korea is saving pokemon cards and amibos to buy GM in 10 years, we hope.
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Loophole. Noun. "Law the speaker doesn't like."
The top picture is the base NX...the bottom is the hybrid (same look with the F-Sport package). Both are American versions. The whole point of this article is wrong.