Great News

[wraithfodder]

Turned on the news and it looks like the Hummer, that gawdawful multi-ton vanity vehicle, will probably go extinct. Yes, I despise the vehicles. I've been tailgated by them, tanks driven by yuppie housewives yakking on cellphones.  Of course, the sad thing is that because General Motors couldn't see the writing on the wall, and far too many people wanted this kind of crap, they're now going to lay off lord knows how many people. But we really  need to get Hummers, and other big SUVs, off the road. The vast majority have one office worker driving them. Waste of gas, destroys the roads, and I've seen what happens when a Hummer or big SUV hits another car. Not a pretty sight. ...

Comments

[d_odyssey.livejournal.com]

There is a reason for SUV's - like 3 kids playing hockey. Not everyone needs one, same as full size pick up trucks, but for those who do, they are very useful. 5-6 passengers, 3 hockey bags, sticks and luggage for tournaments do not fit in any car or minivan. The car is used for work and local commutes, but the Yukon allows everyone in one vehicle for trips and events.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Yes, but what did people do before SUVs? Station wagons! SUVs were designed originally for people who did work that required hauling heavy items around (not people commuting to desk jobs). The Suburban was made for carrying coffins (interesting fact). Fact is that 90% of the people behind the wheel of an SUV could eaisly use a car.

[d_odyssey.livejournal.com]

"Fact is that 90% of the people behind the wheel of an SUV could easily use a car."

No arguments there - same goes for pick up trucks. I think the top selling vehicle for the last 10 years or so has been the Ford F150 and I bet the vast majority of purchasers don't actually need a truck. I remember my aunt and uncle (6 kids) had a station wagon - that thing was huge, too. Now the automakers are compromising with the crossover vehicles, hybrid of the SUV and station wagon. Definitely more stylish than the old wagons. It always seems to take a crisis to move in a new direction. The SUVs and trucks were huge money makers for the automakers. Cars, not so much.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, the automakers seem to lack hindsight, forgetting the 70s and smaller cars. Most people around here (yuppies) drive high-end expensive SUVs or audis or BMWs (with equally as bad gas mileage). WAit till gas hits $5/gal. It's coming. Already seen $4.43 a gal and it's not even July 4th...

[d_odyssey.livejournal.com]

Yes, unfortunately, the Big 3 are shortsighted and never seem to learn or anticipate changing economic conditions until it is too late and a lot of people suffer for it. As you pointed out, some of the cars are just as bad, ie Chrysler 300. Those things are tanks and eat gas. One of my coworkers got rid of hers as soon as the lease was up. Plus it was terrible in the snow. And I shudder at even the thought of $5/gal gas.

[wraithfodder.livejournal.com]

Well, we'll all be just driving back and forth to work, with side trips to groceries and doctors, and that'll be it at the rate prices are soaring...