"American" Sedans - Do We Care?

[Jarlaxle]

SUV'S are a hazard to everyone else on the road. At 2-1/2 tons, people in normal cars, especially economical cars are sitting ducks. Not to mention the visual aspect. All those women who want to sit high and see over all the cars are blocking the views of other people. Fuck 'em, right?

Carbon footprint, anyone?

And yet, you drive one. HYPOCRITE!

 

[Crepitus]

From all indications, Chrysler and Ford are getting out of the business of making and selling sedans.

While no one will miss the Taurus, Fusion, or Focus, the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger are both interesting niche vehicles offering both a market-maximum wheelbase (120") and rear-wheel drive, as well as "muscle car" drivetrains not found anywhere else for under $40 grand.

Police departments, still complaining about the death of the Crown Vic, will shortly have to shift from Chargers to...what?...SUV's? for their baseline cop "cars"? This has already happened in my area, with most PD's now driving Ford Explorers.

The Koreans, Japanese, and to a lesser extent, Volkswagen have driven this move from FCA and Ford by producing sedans that are outstanding in every way, and they keep getting better, year after year. Fortunately, most of these "imports" are now mainly manufactured in the U.S., and carry as much U.S. content as, say, a Malibu.

Does anyone besides me believe that SUV's (and "Crossovers") are "dumb"? They are bigger, heavier, and slower than sedans, offer questionable "utility," handle poorly, get worse gas mileage and have many more parts to break over time, when compared to sedans. And very, very few people actually need AWD (available in some sedans anyway) with the advent of better tires, FWD, and all-speed traction control.

How long will GM hold out? Does anybody care?

When tRump puts 25% tariffs on imported sedans you will care.

 

[Crepitus]

Another point: as far as carbon footprint goes it's worse to manufacture a new car than keep driving your old one.