Comments on: Minicar Mania

By: Bryce

Bryce — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:55:53 +0000

owel, doesn’t really matter to me. compact would be closer to my size of car I would need for tooling around town, not super mini. Like I said, we will see how it pans out.

By: Giant

Giant — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:25:05 +0000

Those not accustomed to smaller cars need to spend some time overseas, like in India. Smaller, “less safe” vehicles abound, yet there seems to be tons of people. It seems their population is not directly proportional vehicle safety.

By: Gerald Shields

Gerald Shields — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:36:00 +0000

Not that I don’t agree with you Bryce, but if the trend towards smaller, fuel efficient cars is consistent, it may not matter since it’s going to be ridiculous to have an SUV as we know it if gas prices are the way they are. Moreover, chassis technology has come a long way to the point the these cars could take a good hit from an SUV and the driver and it’s passengers will survive.

By: Dom

Dom — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:04:01 +0000

The VW Polo Bluemotion Diesel is IMO the most promising car on that list, and should be able to be imported without “bulking up” as most VW cars are somewhat over-engineered when they hit the US anyway. And it won’t be a cheap Econobox… it will be a solid quality small car.

By: Armand

Armand — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:19:09 +0000

A good energy policy should start with education….educating the mass dullards on how to save more and consume less.

By: mdensch

mdensch — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:11:45 +0000

I think uktiger is onto something. IF the US had an energy policy, it might include a fairly steep tax on motor fuels to keep the retail price above $4/gallon (or higher) and a graduated annual vehicle tax or license fee system which was based on either vehicle size or weight or on engine displacement.

By: uktiger

uktiger — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:40:19 +0000

We should have mini car, or hybrid only streets. Another possible policy would be to charge license fees based on gross vehicle weight. mini car $25 per year, 5k pound suv, $2,500 license.

By: Armand

Armand — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:06:37 +0000

Bryce…not what’s going to need to happen is people will need to downsize. That’s going to be a very painful fact of life for many people but oh well….they’ll need to live with it.

By: Aggieland

Aggieland — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:45:57 +0000

I hope they put in rear airbags or something. If anything rear ended the i10 (or similar car) the passengers in the back would be toast.

By: jh

jh — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:19:24 +0000

While I hate to say this – I tend to agree with Bryce…..

the only caveat would be if they are designed with a super structure type frame and incredibly specific crumple zones…. otherwise these cars will lose a lot in the name of safety…..