this post was submitted on 21 Dec 2023
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268
American automakers are losing the race to make more fuel-efficient vehicles (www.theverge.com)
submitted 9 months ago by boem to c/technology
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[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I can’t buy a new subcompact vehicle: there is nothing currently on the market that ideally meets my business needs.

I'm curious what kind of "business need" you have that could be met by a subcompact from 30 years ago but NOT by a Chevy Bolt or Chevy EUV? Either of those have an mpge rating of more than DOUBLE what an old Honda Civic Hatchback or Kei truck could manage plus more cargo space than either of them! The Bolt's are fairly inexpensive too, 2020 models can be bought used for less than $18,000 and 2017s for less than $14,000.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

"More cargo space" is the battle cry of the "bigger is better" crowd, so I reject that argument outright.

Yes, the bolt has better economy. But, the 1990 Honda Civic was 20 inches shorter and 4 inches narrower. An updated Honda Civic with an equivalent drivetrain as the bolt would be smaller and lighter, and thus be getting even better mileage than the bolt.

Those extra 20 inches in length and 4 inches in width are necessary for the bolt to meet modern emissions standards. Shorten it by 20 inches and narrow it by 4, and Chevy wouldn't be allowed to produce it, even though it would have a higher economy.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

“More cargo space” is the battle cry of the “bigger is better” crowd, so I reject that argument outright.

Then I reject your consideration of a Kei Truck as cargo space obviously isn't a concern for you.

But, the 1990 Honda Civic was 20 inches shorter and 4 inches narrower. An updated Honda Civic with an equivalent drivetrain as the bolt would be smaller and lighter...

Unrealistic as it could not be sold. A 1990 Honda Civic lacks crumple zones and other safety features that are now required on vehicles in the United States.

...and thus be getting even better mileage than the bolt.

Nope, the additional safety features make the footprint lager and the vehicle heavier.

Those extra 20 inches in length and 4 inches in width are necessary for the bolt to meet modern emissions standards.

Sigh, the Bolt doesn't HAVE any emissions. It's a straight EV. The extra size over a 1990 Honda Civic are for the required safety features and drivetrain.

Yes, the bolt has better economy.

So what's the problem? A domestic auto manufacturer DOES in fact make something that would work and that something is superior in every way to a sub-compact from 30 years ago. Go buy one.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Unrealistic as it could not be sold. A 1990 Honda Civic lacks crumple zones and other safety features that are now required on vehicles in the United States.

So, you're saying it's a regulatory preference for larger vehicles, not a consumer preference, right?

Then I reject your consideration of a Kei Truck as cargo space obviously isn't a concern for you.

The maximum length of a Kei truck is 30" shorter than the 1990's Civic. The maximum width of a Kei truck is 6" narrower than the Civic. Your criticism of the Kei truck is nonsensical.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago

No, I'm saying that there's vehicles made and sold in the United States today that fit your "business need". The rest of this is you making some bizarre argument about a fictional vehicle that could hypothetically be better.

I can’t buy a new subcompact vehicle: there is nothing currently on the market that ideally meets my business needs.

Yeah there is, go buy it and quit your whining.