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Old 09-22-2011, 12:38 AM   #10 (permalink)
ChrstphrR
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Sault Ste Marie, ON, Canada
Posts: 128

Schwartzejetta - '00 Volkswagen Jetta TDI GL
90 day: 52.87 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dieselbeetle View Post
This article just goes to show how limited that the field of automotive engineering is in terms of forward intellectual thinking.
Correction there ... it's automotive styling, not engineering. As in, marketing gurus, focus groups, planned obsolescence, consulting the legal department 137 times over, tailfins...

At first look, that tire pressure comment in the article sounds like total horsepucky. But, what Frank Lee said holds some weight... it boils down to ease of use, saleability, and liability.

Basically the styling boss of GM went the diplomatic route, and didn't say "studies show our customers are stupid and never check their tire pressures until the rim is rolling directly on the sidewall folded over onto the pavement".

Skirts are a cheap scapegoat, but they will also make it harder for people to check the condition of their tires as far as wear, and air pressure goes (even if, in general, people neglect to do that when they're totally exposed in open fenders).

Of course, a spike up to $5/ga gasoline could change opinions markedly...
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