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A comment on What to do about America's killer cars. Parent comment

Re:What to do about America's killer cars by khaki54 on Thursday September 05, 2024 @10:01PM (#41462179)
In other words, this problem was caused by a progressive regulation intended to help the environment that had the exact opposite effect intended. They set aggressive targets for MPG that were not able to be reached and still produce a car that people want to drive.

Remember the tiny Ford Ranger or Chevy S10? If they were produced today, they would be expected to have a very high MPG, which would require an engine unsuitable for the task as a truck.

The end result is that vehicles are forced to be unnecessarily large to get put in the class where low MPG engine can be installed.

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Re:What to do about America's killer cars by throwup238 on Thursday September 05, 2024 @10:21PM (#41462296)
> In other words, this problem was caused by a progressive regulation intended to help the environment that had the exact opposite effect intended.

It was caused by the legislature undermining progressive regulation. Congress was the one that required the EPA to establish different standards for “non-passenger automobiles” and allow SUVs to classify as light trucks.

It’s the only thing that saved the American car companies from bankruptcy post oil embargo shakeup so now its too entrenched a policy to remove.

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Re:What to do about America's killer cars by phkahler on Thursday September 05, 2024 @10:08PM (#41462221)
Check out the Ford Maverick hybrid. Similar size to trucks 30 years ago with 38mpg. The 2025 gets 4000lbs towing capacity. You can park it in normal sized spots.
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Re:What to do about America's killer cars by toast0 on Thursday September 05, 2024 @10:54PM (#41462487)
Trucks 30 years ago had 6 foot beds, not 4.5 foot beds.
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Re:What to do about America's killer cars by phkahler on Monday September 09, 2024 @03:52PM (#41492797)
And 2 person cabs, not 4.
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Re:What to do about America's killer cars by sneed_chucker on Thursday September 05, 2024 @10:48PM (#41462453)
Strongly considered it. If only Fords were reliable.
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Re:What to do about America's killer cars by oldranger on Sunday September 08, 2024 @04:35PM (#41482991)
The old Ranger could tow 5000 lb, 9000 lb combined. I wouldn't want to tow 4000lb on Maverick (which I respect for what it is) for very long. That engine is a little high strung.

https://tailoredtrucks.com/blog/2011-ford-ranger-towing-capa...

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