American automakers are losing the race to make more fuel-efficient vehicles - eviltoast
  • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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    11 months ago

    “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.

    • Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
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      11 months ago

      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.

      • Buelldozer@lemmy.today
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        11 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.