Re: SUVs (minimal Alfa Content)

[Robin Boyar <rboyar@xxxxxxxxxx>]

>It's also far from obvious why SUVs should be held to different
standards
>than "normal" cars for safety, emissions, and fuel consumption.  SUVs
are
>basically being subsidized by owners of normal cars, while subjecting
>everyone to more air pollution and driving hazards.   


Basically, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration- NHTSA
(yes, those that brought us rubber bumpered fuel injected Spiders)
develops safety, emissions, and fuel standards for all vehicles sold in
the U.S.  The fuel economy standards- corporate average fuel economy
(CAFE) were developed during the Oil Embargo of the 1970s.  These
standards were less stringent for light trucks, because at that time,
trucks were normally used by farmers and construction workers, and it
would have been economically unfair to penalize those who primarily used
their vehicles for work.  For similar reasons, the safety and emissions
standards for these vehicles were also lower.

Due to several political agendas (this is a very sensitive issue between
car manufacturers, environmentalists, insurance companies, and
politicians), minivans and their evil successors are considered light
trucks, and as such, are subject to less stringent standards.
Unfortunately, none of these aforementioned groups envisioned the
popularity of these monstrosities as personal vehicles.   

As awareness increases about crash sensitivity, emissions, and the
overall disadvantages of SUVs, more stringent controls should be
implemented.  Theoretically, by that point, these vehicles will be out
of favor, as baby boomers age, their children grow up, their priorities
shift, and they find different status symbols.  Hopefully not vintage
Italian sports cars :-)

Robin
Oakland, CA

'67 Duetto 
'92 Saab  

Best way to get rid of soccer moms- make the dads drive...

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