Rappers flexing with driving SUVs are one cause for this trend here in germany.
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People (Men especially) think their status in life depends on their vehicle. They just can't get over the idea that bigger is not always better. It's how you use it that matters.
In all seriousness, vehicles have been a status signifier ever since they were created and everyone loves to say that they are better(richer) than the Joneses next door. Being bigger and taller than others is viewed as good in society and in vehicles.
The only nut job conspiracy I believe is that there is something in the food, water or air, that makes Americans dumb as fuck.
That's how I rationalise their love for dumb impractical cars that look tough, and why complete dimwits get so much air time, let alone can become president.
If Flint Michigan, the fact that US meat is banned from EU (and other places like China) and all the funky shit CIA has been doing has taught me anything is that you arr probably right
That is primarily a US problem. Here, a pickup owner is either a gardener or an excentric.
I think that compact SUV is an optimal car. It is not too big (sized like a normal car), it doesn't consume too much fuel, you can drive to the countryside (with light offroad) and it has enough space for some load and passengers feel comfortable. It can have AWD but I think that differential block is more important than AWD.
In Australia you have to pay registration per vehicle even though you can only drive one at a time. This means people will buy a big vehicle that they might need occasionally instead of having a big one and a small one.
Story time. I was going back home yesterday when I saw this lifted F250 tailgating a Chevy sedan for going 5 over the speed limit (clearly the pickup wanted to go faster), so I can guarantee you that the Chevy driver will get something bigger if they can for their next car because having a monster truck right behind you seems t scare the shit out of most people so they feel safer in a larger vehicle.
I can't even bother to give a shit if that were happening to me.
Yes, cars have gotten bigger. And that's bad, for a heap of obvious reasons. I guess that means we need to provide stronger push-back. Somehow.
If idiot car journalists maybe didn't test regular, everyday non SUV cars on test tracks and then criticize them for not stiff enough suspension, not precise enough steering, not supportive enough seats etc, maybe SUVs wouldn't be the best selling vehicles. Regular people want comfy cars for everyday use and non SUV cars are increasingly not that. Also non SUV cars are significantly lower than 10, 20 or 30 years ago so much so that clearing a curb is problem. I have an Opel hatchback (Astra), out of 10 times approximately 3-4 times I scrape a curb because the car is too low. GTFO
I had an older (4 generations older) Astra, almost never scraped a curb. Also it was much comfier.
I've watched the car reviewers and they demand sooooo much. Much be sport! Must be powerful! Must have crazy acceleration! Must take 6 ~~people~~ linebackers and luggage! Geez how about talking for normal people.
With today's prices and interest, it's a terrible time to buy a car.
But trucks are often needed for work, so even though the timing sucks, so their sales have remained solid.
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