In the recent weeks, the automobile industry has been at the core of the media’s focus on the $15 billion dollar bailout. Personally, I think this is a huge mistake, unless it calls for the resignation of the current leaders of these companies, better accountability system and an entire overhaul of the production and distribution processes.
If you compare the United States to European countries such as Germany, we drive many more larger vehicles than they do. If you walk around Berlin you would be hard pressed to find a SUV or a pickup trucks. The majority of what you would see are cars and the occasional van.
Why is this? A couple possible reasons include:
- Fuel consumptions is much less in cars than large automobiles.
- In places such as Berlin, space is at a premium, so cars, especially Minis and other small cars are more ideal.
So I propose “What If” this time next year, no more large SUVs (which people really do not need) and pickup truck were produced, and the automobile maker focused on making more cost efficient cars, that are better for the enviroment and better for our economy?
While I agree that the automotive industry’s bailout is a mistake in it’s current form, I must disagree with most of your other comments.
I lived in Germany and in the UK for several years and can tell you that large SUVs and pickups are almost as popular overseas as they are in the US.
As for your proposal for the auto makers to make no more large SUVs and pickup trucks, this is not practical for any advanced area of the world. The fact is that they are needed. Not only by service companies to transport the large ammounts of tools and equipment needed to maintain our buildings and businesses, but also by the large family (3 or more children).
I would suggest that you look in to the latest models of hybrids that are now available. large SUVs and pickups are now available that satisfy us both. they provide the cargo and towing capabilities that is needed while getting better fuel economy than a mid-sized sedan. (Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Expidition, etc).
these and other “green” soulutions are better fits than abandoning one of the few things that the US auto companies can make profitable.