Completely agree that emission standards may be a 'convenient' out but I can't help wondering what came first, the chicken or the egg?
G'day
prdI ask myself that every second Tuesday of every month.
... I still don't know.
And to what extent is/ was there tariff protection working against the import of the Australian made engine into the U.S.?
That, I feel, is an important point ...
Americans remain protectionists ... and more so in desiring to 'make America
great again.' I am a firm believer in tariff protections. I do not know
what part tariffs played in preventing Victa to enter the USA market.
Perhaps this reflects the
complexity of commercial and
political interests. It appears 'true' that 2-strokes can be
made compliant - with sophisticated fuel injection and the like.
I don't know if this is economical for small lawnmower engines.
I'm glad you raised the issue though.
Ultimately a sale of a 2st engine is a profit for B&S just as much as the sale of a 4st.
Yes, this explains my behaviour on every second Tuesday of every month!
I guess this is about economies of scale and World markets.
Consumers are funny cattle. Pride aside, the decision to buy 4st for most of them will, I suggest, be based on the 'hassle' of mixing fuel (despite the fact that most of them will have mixed fuel for the weed eater anyway(!) as was previously mentioned) and the perception of hard starting. Consumer prejudice is a tough battle but it can be changed with strong clever marketing, time, and the effort of knowledgeable sales people. Of course the parent company needs to be sufficiently committed to the product to bother.
I would think this is as wise a statement as has ever been written
on these great forums, prd. I can't top that one. The history of lawnmowers
has always been about making life (style) easier.
Many thanks for kicking the can around.
All very interesting,
----------------------------
Jack
