I really wish there were exceptions for low-volume production. Among other things, a car sold in the US today must have anti-lock brakes, airbags, tire pressure monitoring system, and electronic stability control. These are required even if you want to make a total of 10 cars. This kills the enthusiast market and makes it hard for car manufacturers to experiment with low-volume models.
Meanwhile, anyone can buy a 1000cc superbike that can go from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. (And it gets to use the carpool lane.)
Those are requirements because you share the road with others - if you opt out of anti-lock brakes you might slam into the side of my car and kill me. So personally, I'm quite glad these things exist.
Want to make a car to take out on a test track? Go crazy. Want to drive it on public roads? Follow rules.
But the incredibly regulated market also has its costs. A great example exists in China, which is currently experiencing a revolution in low-cost electric vehicles[1].
The low-speed electric vehicle revolution has exploded in China's countryside, so most people living in cities in China do not know these vehicles exist. The industry literally grew up while regulators in the cities weren't looking.
That article is worth taking in as a whole, for its implications are broad. First and foremost, this unregulated and illegal transportation revolution is becoming a means for China to remedy some of its severe pollution problems. Second, these networks of new manufacturers will become the experts in a manufacturing domain which will certainly have reach well outside of China.
In the US (and the West more broadly) we're progressively adding regulatory burdens to the auto manufacturing market, but little comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. This itself is a substantial inhibitor to innovation which might completely upend transportation as we know it.
For more really excellent discussion along these lines, I highly recommend Horace Dediu's Asymcar podcast[2]. Asymcar digs into the nature of the transportation market, its players, and the conditions under which transportation market disruption might arise.
Very interesting. If I happened to live in a gated community, with beach access or something, I'd rather drive one of these around than a golf cart--although servicing it might be a problem.
But by that logic we should ban every single car older than 30 years - they have no anti-locking breaks or airbags or electronic stability control. As long as these cars are a tiny minority it's not a problem - the same with enthusiast self-built cars - as long as they pass all the inspections(I know most US states don't have the equivalent of European MOT, but you should), then I have no slightest problem with them.
Those requirements did not always exist, and now that they do, are we really that much better off? Some obviously have more impact than others.
The concern of the GP comment is that regulation is stifling potential innovation, so we should always be on guard about nickel-and-dime regulations that come down from the govt.
As far as I know my car (a 2011 Chevy Aveo) does not have anti-lock brakes. Wikipedia indicates that they are mandated in the EU but not the US.
My car does have a tire pressure monitoring system though. I believe it was also one of the last cars produced for the US without electronic stability control.
You're right that ABS is still an option on some cars. I have to ask, though... Why on earth would you not spring for it? Anti-lock breaks are enormously effective.
The short answer is that I bought the cheapest new car I could find.
The long answer is that I want my big expensive stuff to be simple and easy to maintain. It has a manual transmission, no air conditioning (I could have added it for $2k USD), and crank windows. I was disappointed to find that it has electric locks and lock/unlock buttons on the key. Power assist steering was something I didn't really want either. I wouldn't have paid for a radio if it was optional.
My other car is a '76 VW Beetle (currently undergoing reconstruction). Classic Beetles don't even have radiators.
What is needed is a standardized set of these required by law components, they should be mass produced and very cheap. Did I just find a niche - a hobbyist pack for car makers?
Meanwhile, anyone can buy a 1000cc superbike that can go from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds. (And it gets to use the carpool lane.)