I can’t help but imagine all the interesting cars that could be imported from our Bavarian cousins if they don’t have to meet such strict standards. Furthermore I have to wonder if Volkswagen would have anything to say if dieselgate suddenly became irrelevant.

Agreed. There is a legendary 2004 Le Sabre with 400k on the odometer that comes through our shop. The owner takes folks from rural areas to larger hospitals every day. It won’t die and has never stranded him. It also seats like my grandma’s old “Chesterfield” as she would call it.