[Ken Fry]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

Firstly crash testing is something worth having IMHO,

I agree. We've learned what works and the value of crash simulations.

And secondly if 3 wheelers worked really well, why isn't a maker out there promoting them, outside concepts of course ?

In the US, the cars most promoted are the most profitable ones. The manufacturers have little interest in small, efficient vehicles, because they are not as profitable as big luxurious vehicles. Nor, as demonstrated by sales numbers, is there widespread consumer interest in efficient cars. This was also the situation here in 1960. The VW Beetle (and especially its ad campaigns) changed the thinking of many people, eventually including Detroit. Gaining broad market acceptance for a three-wheeler will be every bit as difficult as introducing the VW was in 1960.

Stools and camera tripods don't move or go round corners. They also don't have suspensions allowing their "legs" to vary in length, or steering, or brakes. And if you put them on a slope, they tip over.

Of course, stools are not cars. Three legged stools can tip over. Four legged stools can tip over.

In what way ? Do they have a GT team that demonstrates this ability ?

It sustains higher cornering forces, according to road tests. The T-Rex is not a GT car.

This is the preserve of the 3 wheeler like the Aptera - its a toy for people who like unusual or extreme efficiency vehicles to play with.

Yes, it is much like a Prius in that sense. People who routinely tow boats need a bigger vehicle than a Prius. Strange as it may seem, though, many people are quite happy with the Prius, even if their neighbors have Ford Expeditions. In the US we have a category of vehicles that ride on only two wheels, and they sell remarkably well, too. We've found that no single vehicle meets the needs of all people.

Most people don't have the space or money for a second vehicle so what they choose has to serve all purposes - commuter (1-up), family car (3 (or more) -up) and shopping getter (2-up with load). Occasionally it will be a holiday car (3 (or more) -up + load) too.

This is not at all the case in the US. Many people have 2 or more vehicles in the family. We have almost the worst public transportation system in the world, so we drive everywhere. There is a strong market in all sorts of two-seaters, with the Mazda Miata, The Nissan 370Z, the Chevy Corvette, etc all being popular.

A Geo Metro (or modern equivalent) will do all of this out of the box, a TDI will do it and make better FE with some work.

While I think such cars are sensible, I am in a very small minority. 30,000 units a year is considered pretty good for our smallest cars, vs 300,000 a year (per model) for things like Honda Accords and Toyoya Camries. The pickup trucks have often sold 800,000 - 900,000 per major model.