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Just finished High and Mighty, @KeithBradsher epic dissection of SUVs.
Published 15 years ago, its lessons about the dangers they pose (and our failure to regulate them) remain urgent. SUVs now outsell sedans 2x1 in the USA.
The quotes Bradsher collected are stunning:
[THREAD]
![Just finished High and Mighty, @KeithBradsher epic dissection of SUVs.Published 15 years ago, its lessons about the dangers they pose (and our failure to regulate them) remain urgent. SUVs now outsell sedans 2x1 in the USA.The quotes Bradsher collected are stunning:[THREAD]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbXlDskWAAAxkhd.jpg "Just finished High and Mighty, @KeithBradsher epic dissection of SUVs.Published 15 years ago, its lessons about the dangers they pose (and our failure to regulate them) remain urgent. SUVs now outsell sedans 2x1 in the USA.The quotes Bradsher collected are stunning:[THREAD]")
Published 15 years ago, its lessons about the dangers they pose (and our failure to regulate them) remain urgent. SUVs now outsell sedans 2x1 in the USA.
The quotes Bradsher collected are stunning:
[THREAD]
Clotaire Rapaille, an auto marketer, on the psychological attraction of SUVs:
”My theory is that the reptilian always wins. The reptilian says, if there’s a crash I want the other guy to die.”
”My theory is that the reptilian always wins. The reptilian says, if there’s a crash I want the other guy to die.”
These lines speak for themselves:
A Nissan exec explains why SUVs appeal more to Americans than Europeans:
“When Europeans think about safety they think about a light, agile car. The American image of safety is put a tank around me, get as much mass around as possible and let Isaac Newton work his magic.”
“When Europeans think about safety they think about a light, agile car. The American image of safety is put a tank around me, get as much mass around as possible and let Isaac Newton work his magic.”
A Ford exec acknowledges that safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers in other autos are secondary concerns (if that) in SUV design:
“We first of all worry in most cases about the occupants of the vehicle we’re selling.”
“We first of all worry in most cases about the occupants of the vehicle we’re selling.”
Renault’s top exec: “You cannot sell to the buyer of a light truck the fact that he is less dangerous to a car. He is not willing to pay a single dollar for that—it must be addressed by regulation.”
Paging @NHTSAgov…
Paging @NHTSAgov…
Why was the environmental movement slow to push for improved SUV fuel economy in the 80s and 90s? Many supporters drove one.
One NGO director: “Some groups felt that to vilify SUVs was to alienate your members.”
One NGO director: “Some groups felt that to vilify SUVs was to alienate your members.”
BTW the UAW has not been a friend to environmentalists. A GM exec reminisced about defeating a 1990 fuel economy bill:
“It was one of the proudest days of my life, standing shoulder to shoulder with [UAW's] Owen and lobbying against CAFE…we would not have won without the UAW.”
“It was one of the proudest days of my life, standing shoulder to shoulder with [UAW's] Owen and lobbying against CAFE…we would not have won without the UAW.”
The book is eye-opening, though few in the mobility tech/ urban policy fields today seem to know it. And SUVs have only grown bigger and more popular since it was published.
Highly recommend, so you too can grimace while reading stories like this. [FIN] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/business/suv-sales-best-sellers.html
Highly recommend, so you too can grimace while reading stories like this. [FIN] https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/business/suv-sales-best-sellers.html
