Ernstland Motoring History Challenge (ALT HISTORY, ROUND 1)

What’s the SV cost? Would the tax be added onto the approximate cost or something else?

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it’s service costs

H&L Motor Werke GmbH
Public Affairs Office
Hamburg, Germany
10th June, 1947

To the Minister of Transport,

Subject: Proposal for the Compulsory Installation of Noise Reduction Equipment on Civilian Motor Vehicles

Honourable Minister,

I write to respectfully urge your office to consider the introduction of legislation aimed at reducing the noise produced by civilian motor traffic. As a vehicle manufacturer, H&L Motor Werke GmbH believes that mitigating vehicular noise is essential not only for public health but for the quality of life in our cities and towns.

With the increase of civilian car ownership following the war, especially in the cities, we feel that vehicles producing excessive levels of noise will prove a nuisance. Excessive traffic noise, particularly in urban environments, has been shown to contribute to stress, sleep disturbances, and even long-term health conditions. Moreover, the constant clatter of unmuffled vehicles detracts from the peaceful atmosphere to which all citizens are entitled.

At H&L Motor Werke GmbH, we have always viewed the muffler not simply as a mechanical necessity, but as a fundamental component of responsible and considerate vehicle design. We are therefore advocating for the mandatory fitting of exhaust mufflers on all vehicles, new and old, to ensure a substantial reduction in noise pollution across our nation’s roads.

We would be willing to assist with any technical consultation or provide further insight into the implementation of this important policy.

With highest consideration and unwavering respect,

Emil Hofmann
Director, Public Affairs
H&L Motor Werke GmbH
Hamburg, Germany

TL;DR: Cars are a bit loud, maybe we should have them be quieter by having mufflers and/or a maximum noise level be mandatory?

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Thanks, service costs are accessed in the summary page I assume?

Yes

Dear Mr. Ernstland,

At Bahastu, we feel like new cars are too big, too bourgeois, and just generally too much.

Which is, why we’re proposing a tax based on engine size!
Here’s a quote from our CEO, John Bahastu.

1. Our Roads Are Not Built for High-Powered Motors

Many of our streets, both in town and country, were laid down long before the motor car became common. They are narrow, winding, and often uneven. Cars with large engines—especially those imported from abroad—accelerate too quickly and travel too fast for these conditions. Smaller engines naturally limit top speeds and ensure a steadier pace, far better suited to the character of our roads.

2. Lightweight Cars Are Easier to Control and Stop

With our current braking systems, it is far easier to bring a smaller, lighter vehicle to a safe stop. Large, heavy cars with big engines are much harder to control in an emergency, particularly on wet cobbles or country lanes.

3. Speed Kills, and Big Engines Encourage It

There is growing concern about reckless driving, particularly among younger men. Vehicles fitted with powerful engines tempt their drivers to speed—something wholly unsuited to our present infrastructure. Small-engined cars do not lend themselves to such misuse. They encourage careful, measured driving, exactly what is needed as traffic increases.

4. Fuel Is Still Dear – Let Economy Guide Safety

Petrol remains a considerable household expense, and many families are only now in a position to afford their first car. Smaller engines consume less fuel and require fewer costly repairs, encouraging thrifty and responsible driving. By supporting small cars, we also support road safety through economy.

5. We Must Build a Motor Culture for the Many, Not the Few

In this decade of rebuilding and unity, we should not aspire to a motoring future dominated by fast, heavy vehicles fit only for the privileged or the reckless. Instead, let us promote sensible vehicles with modest engines that serve families, tradesmen, and rural workers alike. Vehicles that do not threaten public safety but enhance it.

Our Proposal: Annual Tax Based on Engine Displacement

Engine Size Annual Tax (Added to SVC)
Under 800 cc $0
800–1199 cc $100
1200–1599 cc $200
1600–1999 cc $400
2000–2499 cc $800
Over 2500 cc $1200

Regards,
John Bahastu
CEO of Bahastu Automobile AB

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To the government of the NKE, from the Rhineland-Pfalz Autobund,

We urge you to offer a tax incentive on new 4x4s sold in the country. This can amount to around 250 dollars removed from the annual running costs. The roads in this country are still terrible owing to the war, and many live in less developed regions with no or poor roads. This causes them to suffer as 2wd vehicles are simply not capable enough. Making 4x4s more affordable would greatly boost the economy and allow more of the population to get mobile.

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for Round 2 4x4s wouldn’t have been banned- are you suggesting a discount for 4x4 vehicles?

URGENTLY ADDRESSED TO ERNSTLAND FROM PEOPLE’S UNION OF KIMIGARU:

TELEGRAM FROM: AKARINYA, IYAGAKAYE: TO: “insert name of Ernstland’s government head”

It has come to my attention that the nation of Ernstland appears to be stuck in somewhat of a rut. After a defeat, your country appears to have lost motivation, and a sense of purpose. In some ways, your history may have taken a turn into darkness, taking a turn back into the light will be difficult. Your country has history that extends beyond the darker parts, and a return to such parts would be excellent for your people, I would assume.

Whilst I may come from a nation that abhors the waste of money on luxuries, it is certainly still true though that I do still adore the race track. As such, I propose that you create a racing league in your country, or possibly multiple, that can be competed in by all manufacturers that sell cars to Ernstland. This is a huge undertaking, and I am aware of that, but the payoff, I’m sure, would be just as huge, if not larger.

Whatever favour I may have curried with your government, I hope that I can use it all to implore you to undertake this.

I hope that this proposal finds you well.

Igayakaye Akarinya
Director of Car Production
Akarinya Jaro-Kagi-Gadani
Takadai, Takadai Prefecture, People’s Union of Kimigaru

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Why does your CEO look like such a damn chad…

It’s because he’s swedish and he has very much money.

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oh wait yeah, poor old Igayakaye is from Kimigaru and has no stonks…

The director was not amused. Their cars would not be known to ‘look like a slug, and go like a snail’. There was only one option - to double the amount of cylinders…

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We here at Wulsen believe in the strengthing of local economy and helping promote pride within the nation of Ernstland, therefore we would like to submit for more lax sales taxation for companies that manufacture their vehicles within the country, as well as allowing for government funding to incentive research and development for local companies (increased techpool budget for cars owned by companies founded in Ernstland)

If this happens, I’d imagine quite a few car companies will be sold to Ernstlandese (? Or Ernstlandian?) business owners.

And that includes Bahastu! After hearing these news John Bahastu has started negotiations with John Ernstland in order to get all of the government incentives! God bless capitalism.

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Doesn’t help that I forgot to fix a typo…

(Amendment made to my lobbying)

To the Kaiser’s esteemed Minister for Transport,

I am pleased to report that we have successfully overseen the introduction of car production at the DMK factory in Dortmund. However, we believe that going forward our engineers’ skills, along with those from other companies, should be focused on developing highly compact cars that leverage their experience in motorcycle manufacturing.

We propose measures to encourage the development of vehicles that comply with a strict set of specifications, inspired by similar regulations implemented abroad as well as current domestic proposals. This initiative aims to support manufacturers transitioning from motorcycle production to car manufacturing.

The proposed specifications are as follows:

  • Maximum displacement: 600cc
  • Maximum weight: 600kg
  • Maximum fuel consumption: 7L/100km
  • Maximum wheelbase: 2.10m

DMK is not the only manufacturer that could benefit from these regulations. Other companies are either producing or developing cars that could easily meet or be adapted to meet these criteria. Additionally, other domestic manufacturers could take advantage of a market specifically tailored to our country.

We suggest that vehicles conforming to these specifications be granted a tax reduction, which would effectively lower the consumer price by 15%.

I would be happy to discuss this in person with you; whenever is convenient for you I suggest we meet at my lodge in Geneva.

Yours sincerely,
Friedrich Von Neuenkirchen-Bassum
CEO of ADW

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Amended