Morning Jack,
All very valid points well made.
Completely agree that emission standards may be a 'convenient' out but I can't help wondering what came first, the chicken or the egg? Did they make the decision not to upgrade to EPA standards for the U.S. and European markets because the market was already declining or the decision not to upgrade the reason for the decline (complete closure) of these markets?
And to what extent is/ was there tariff protection working against the import of the Australian made engine into the U.S.? I really have no idea what the answer is on that one. I'm just kicking the can around.
Ultimately a sale of a 2st engine is a profit for B&S just as much as the sale of a 4st.
Consumers are funny cattle. Price 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.
Just kicking the can around.
Cheers,
Last edited by CyberJack; 04/01/17 09:55 PM.
