Perverse side effects of the new CAFE standards? {Autoblog Green}

Feb 16th 2008 3:24PM
Apparently some people out there have forgotten that there is a legitimate segment of the population that does need these larger trucks and SUV'S. Its called being egocentric!

That is not surprising as most of the population has never really seen much outside of the massive concrete jungles in which they live.

For example, my Chevrolet Suburban makes life considerably easier for my family. We have 4 kids, and live in a remote area, where winter is generally severe, and services are many miles away. Minivans, and cars do not fair very well in the harsh conditions of winter, or on rough country roads (I have tried it).

I would prefer not to be stuck in a snowbank or run off a muddy road with the safety of a young family at stake.

As for the use of trucks, I completely agree that it isn't entirely necessary for those recreational users to own them, so perhaps discouraging that is appropriate.

But don't punish those who need them for what they are intended!

The comparison of North American farms and European farms is entirely inappropriate. The farmers grow different types of crop over there. What they regard as a crop many over here would call a large garden over here. The size of the European farming operation is a fraction of the size of farms over here. Why? Land prices (much higher in Europe), density of the farms, towns, and services, economy of scale (required over here), and MASSIVE government subsidization in Europe. Sure there are some subsidies in the U.S., and much fewer subsidies in Canada, but these pale in comparison to those of Europe.

So if farmers could make a living off tiny farms, then they could also drive Ford Rangers, but that isn't going to happen here. Bigger farms require bigger equipment, and larger amounts of livestock and crops.

Half ton trucks are a minimum requirement for most farms!

Now, do manufacturers need to sell many millions of trucks and SUV's each year. No! There isn't many millions of people who require them, but there are still a legitimate amount who do.
As far as the extreme luxury in some of the trucks (Ford King Ranch), yeah its a bit excessive, but it doesn't exactly contribute to many of society's problems so why worry about it. Besides, why can't a farmer of construction worker have a luxurious vehicle in the same way that a business executive in Los Angeles or chicago can have a luxurious car?

That is my perspective , thanks for yours.