• Jajcus@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      95
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      11 months ago

      Europe used to laugh at American big cars, but recently the cars on our roads get bigger and bigger too :-(

      • nicetriangle@kbin.social
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        56
        ·
        11 months ago

        Yeah I am glad at least that a number of countries are taking measures to de-car city centers. They’re a blight. Especially these big stupid SUVs.

          • GreyBeard@lemmy.one
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            20
            ·
            11 months ago

            They are essentially a rebranding of minivans. Minivans were seen as soccer mom vehicles, but were incredibly practical. So they rebranded them to SUVs, raising the height, reducing cargo space, increasing blind spots, and over all making them less functional, but they sell much better.

            • robolemmy@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              6
              ·
              11 months ago

              Yeah, it’s “mom car creep.” First sedans were mom cars, then station wagons, followed by minivans. Somehow the stupid huge SUVs are avoiding the stigma so far.

              Also, the Tesla model X is literally a minivan, not an SUV. I know that’s off topic but I had to say it. :-)

            • Malfeasant@lemm.ee
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              2
              ·
              11 months ago

              rebranding of minivans

              Except minivans are at least good at the one thing they’re made for, hauling people and their stuff. SUVs try to do everything, so they do everything badly.

      • Maestro@kbin.social
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        10
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        11 months ago

        They have, but it’s still nothing compared to the US. I drive a Nissan Qashqai. It’s quite a big car in The Netherlands. There are bigger of course (like the big Volvo XC 70 and 90) but I’m definitely on the bigher size on the road. But my car would be tiny in the US. It would be like driving an old Fiat 500 over here.

        • Jajcus@kbin.social
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          8
          ·
          11 months ago

          Oh, I am sure American cars are even bigger, but that does not mean we should like the trend.

    • Funderpants @lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      54
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      11 months ago

      People will look me dead in the face and tell me they need the SUV because the kids have hockey practice, I wouldn’t understand. As if my dad didn’t take me to hockey practice in a Toyota Terecel.

      • gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        16
        arrow-down
        2
        ·
        11 months ago

        My leaf and my neighbors 90s pickup are more than enough for all of the rural farm shit we need them for so city folk really got no fuckin excuse

    • Lev_Astov@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      12
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      11 months ago

      Unfortunately, the US Environmental Protection Agency (emphasis on mental) has rules in place regarding emissions per unit length of vehicle which effectively penalize manufacturers who make small vehicles.

      • Krauerking@lemy.lol
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        11 months ago

        Well we cant be bothered with actually changing rules and laws to change things and potentially make rich people change how they make money so we just have to keep pandering to fascists and swift fans for votes

    • iterable
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      Worse is those who don’t know how to drive them. I hear all the time ohh that massive vehicle is like any other car. New money seems to be most of who buy huge vehicles in US. Got to show off in front of the poor people…actual remember news it is a metric of how the economy is doing. As old money buy affordable and reliable.

    • TheSanSabaSongbird@lemdro.id
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      edit-2
      11 months ago

      There’s a lot of Americans that have been bamboozled by the auto industry. Canadians and Mexicans too. Big American trucks are a status symbol in a lot of Mexico. It just shows how effective advertising can be. Basically they are selling a kind of identity or self-image.