Lauren Fix – TheCarCoach.com
The trade deal with the EU may make some big changes for cars that could give us some better choices and some cooler cars and lower prices. Traditionally, manufacturers have had to produce two different versions of the same vehicle to meet U.S. and European requirements. Even small differences in pedestrian safety regulations, emissions rules, or lighting standards have required costly redesigns, duplicate testing, and extensive certification processes. These expenses are ultimately passed down to consumers. By aligning standards, the agreement allows a vehicle certified in Europe to be sold in the U.S. without additional modification, and vice versa. The economic potential of this alignment is substantial, offering billions in savings across the auto industry. Here are some of the changes that will impact the USA and European standards.