Never in fear of the repercussions for what he may say, General Motors VP of Global Product Development Bob Lutz has now called for a suspension of U.S. crash testing to allow the domestic makes to more easily get their Toyota Prius fighters to market.

What?

Wait, before you freak out, he's not saying that cars shouldn't be tested. Instead, Lutz is asking for a three year hold on US testing. This would allow cars that meet the European NCAAP testing standards to be allowed to be sold into the country.

Such a halt, for example, would allow GM to quickly get cars like the Corsa smog legal in the US and then sold here. Granted, it won't be that simple, as dealership would not have the necessary training, equipment, or parts for the cars.

The domestics after all, have already done much investment in smaller, more fuel efficient cars; they just aren't on our shores. Considering the biggest issue with American crash testing is the 2.5 mph/5 mph bumper limits which have nothing to do with the actual safety of the occupants, it's easy to see the reasoning in Lutz's statement.