Originally Posted by chimchim
My apologies, I made too rash a statement. Actually, yes, the US is a worse offender in emissions as a country.
However, I live in California and for individual vehicles, I think Cali has the most stringent emissions requirements for individual vehicles. JDM vehicles don't pass emissions testing here. (And we also have crappy low octane gas.)
Let me say instead, I'm not Nihon because I need a left hand drive car.
I lived in California, and I now live in Japan, I believe the only reason why JDM vehicles dont pass in Cali is because of the High import tax tarriffs that Japan imposes on USDM vehicles (which are all shipped from California bec. it is closest to the Pacific ocean) And this is the way they get back at Japan.
Japan Hi Octane gas is 93 octane, and there are emmisions laws here like you wouldnt believe...Emissions tests in California are all done by computer in which the operator must punch into the make and year of the vehicle...The BEAR emissions system then relays this information via, internet to some central location which is predetermined the "central" authority. (That sets variables of what is acceptable or not...) Can You honestly say that a 4.7 liter SUV in California is more environmentally friendly than a 1.6 liter JDM Honda?