Quote:
Originally Posted by Jyden
I belive this is fear for the unknow among the industry.... Areodynamic cars with good milage could be far more popular to the people than the industri thinks.
With this kind of fear/ feetdragging it will take decades to get fuel effecint cars. Besides - Areo is by far the cheapest way to get FE for the industry, at I "only" involves changing the bodywork from one shape to an other, which is same prices for any model, as it only has to be made to the moulds from the beginning.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by RustyLugNut
But much of the fear is rooted in the buying public. If the public won't buy an aerodynamically efficient car shape, the manufacturers will not produce and sell it. The aero-reworking of our car bodies may be more incremental over the next 12 years but it does not look like it will be dramatic. However, market dynamics such as markedly higher fuel costs could change that. Predictions are only as good as their base assumptions.
I look at the Xprize winning Edison VLC and see beauty and efficiency. The general public sees a way-out trinket. It is beyond their comprehension to drive such a car on a daily basis. However, when fuel supplies force the issue, the car will be seen on it's merits and not in comparison to what people consider "traditional" designs.
|
I agree. I think the apprehension comes from the OEMs, as they don't see the public buying the product. Money talks. When we get to $10/gallon gasoline, and people realize how much that hurts, maybe things will change...
I too think aero plays a big role. I've dropped 50# from my truck, and don't know that anything really changed. Maybe I need a bigger drill bit...