SUV Fun Facts

[c9]

Most large SUVs are illegal to drive on residential roads in California, and possibly in many areas of North America: http://slate.msn.com/id/2104755/

Last night on the Simpsons, SUVs were mocked: Marge needed to get past several SUVs which were driving down the highway, but they were blocking all lanes and too tall to even see past. She was getting frustrated, but Homer calmed her by saying, "Don't worry, there's a gentle curve coming up!" At the gentle curve, the SUVs all rolled over and caught fire, etc. Cute but not 100% exagerated.

Best and Worst mileage amongst light trucks: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/best/bestworstEPAtrucksNF.shtml
(remember, SUVs are classed as light trucks so that manufacturers don't have to do as much crash testing, as much development work, and can meet easier mileage and safety standards)

Sadly, we can't just blame American automakers for this sort of stuff -- all automakers are getting into it. For example, Subaru (the very queer-positive automaker) is changing their Outback SEDAN slightly so that it's officially a truck. A sedan. For fuck's sake. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=483179

Even the normally smart Europeans are getting into the game: VW is happily selling its Touareg SUV, BMW has its X3. *sigh*

What are the chances that the smart car will be a huge hit in North America? Or the mini?

Comments

[c9.livejournal.com]

I can blame whoever I want. :) Yes, they're just doing their job in the capitalist system, but it's annoying. I think companies should be forced to do good, not evil. Not sure how to make that happen. People are encouraged to do good, in some ways. Companies however are structured so that profit is the only motive.