Originally Posted By: wemay
*Not a political post. Strictly looking at this from a consumer demand point of view......How is this so when trucks and SUVs lead in sales??
From the manufacturers POV, they have to meet CAFE, EPA, NHTSA & other govn't rules and standards even to sell a vehicle period.
They also constantly emphasize SAFETY, greeness, eco-responsiblity, recycled materials, and features to make up for any shortcomings you may have as a driver.
From the buyers POV however, many are obese, overweight and fat. Even their families...and dogs. Blunt but true. Fat people desire more room both for themselves and their big stuff. They don't want to feel confined or 'stuffed' inside. They need big, wide doors that open WIDE to ease access. They don't like to bend over either; to get in, get out, load or unload their stuff.
It's rather amazing just how big some of these vehicles are compared to the sled. Some tires are the height of my hood! They have huge mirrors, trim pieces, corner headlight assemblies, etc. To access the roof racks the owners need a ladder. Even 'small' SUVs. The big ones are just land yachts.
Given this, many are the same interior size as the sled! While larger on the outside, not so much on the inside. Particularly behind the back seats. It's an odd optical illusion. Fender flares, big bumpers, mirrors, light clusters, large tires, big tailgate (that now needs electric opener due to its weight). All of this weighs a lot. Propelling this amount of mass down the highway at 75 mph takes considerable force to overcome the aero-drag. It takes big brakes to stop it. Big suspension to support it. Big gas tank to keep it going.
IOW, it all has to be overweight to support it.
On the politics side, the govn't wants higher MPG even to the point of imposing a 'gas-guzzler' tax if not met. They also want the public out of cars and into mass transit. More 'greeness'. More safety features. Competition is fierce making a product to satisfy all. Meanwhile, consumers resist being scolded out of their cars and lifestyles particularly in this age of 'you can have it all!'.
Gen "Z" may see this as all waste, unaffordable, 'bloat', not even interested in getting a drivers license much less owning a car, even an 'eco-car'. "I don't need to own a car, just a credit card. I'll just Uber/Lyft instead. Works for me!" No doubt such thinking sends panic into the car industry and all the businesses that support it.
