[Allch Chcar]

Unfortunately we're on our own in this. Automakers cater to people right? Not us, because more people will buy for convenience, practicality, acceptance. There's a reason Basjoos' car is such a big deal. Even people who buy econoboxes want a certain level of acceptance. Most people would "die" if they had to drive Basjoos' car anywhere just by the looks alone. Yet many people drive without headlights, missing bumpers, ruined fenders, and its business as usual. If you told them they could fabricate a more aerodynamic bumper, healight, or fender they tell you 9 times out of 10 that it's either too much work or then it'll look worse than it is. Pickup truck drivers don't want a half-bed cover because it's either ugly, or it won't fit tall things into it. Everytime I see an empty pickup bed especially if it has a toolbox in it, I think of how much money they're wasting and personally how ugly it is to have an empty spot on a vehicle. I just laugh when I see people with their tailgate missing, it reminds me of the tail gate up vs down debate that still won't die. That's my opinion on that.

With all the aftermarket racing parts that get better efficiency than stock parts, it might be possible to just replace parts as they go out with better parts until you're replacing the frame with a racing chassis. With $2700 for a racing chassis, it's lighter and stronger than factory. Cheaper than replacing your investment vehicle due to the chassis going bad especially once you put money into upgrading the design of your vehicle. Why should you replace it? It's not like Auto companies are going to start painting your underbelly to make those parts last longer. And those parts start rusting the first winter salting. Paint does wonders for metal part's life. You only need to remember to put high temp paint in the proper spots. But the only times I've seen parts painted to protect them is either for looks or they're customizing their vehicle enough that protecting it is worth the money.

With all of the hotrodding, car modding, and DIY howtos it's possible to turn any car into a model of aerodynamics and efficiency. And for the economics, for most people it's still cheaper to buy a newer but less efficient vehicle than do anything major to their vehicle themselves, while other people get new engines or transmissions when they fail early yet after warranty because the don't do the cost vs benefit of putting a new engine or transmission when their car only last them a few years. I still need to see more examples before I think I've somehow understood this problem enough to help find a solution, but that's what I see so far.