• Jajcus@kbin.social
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    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
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      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
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          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
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            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. :-)

            • rockSlayer@lemmy.world
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              11 months ago

              Unpopular opinion, but I want station wagons to come back. They were a super useful car that didn’t look too bad.

          • Malfeasant@lemm.ee
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            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.

            • anachronist
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              11 months ago

              SUVs don’t really try to do anything good except being tall sedans…

          • anachronist
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            11 months ago

            Minivans actually sold really well. And apparently the most searched-for car on automobile websites is still “Honda Odyssey.”

            My understanding is that car companies started pushing SUVs over minivans due to threading loopholes in CAFE rules or import tariffs. Minivans get classified as “big cars” while SUVs can get classified as “small trucks.” It seems like these loopholes are being abused and should be closed but the car companies lobby to keep them open.

    • Maestro@kbin.social
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      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
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        11 months ago

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