Ford to stop selling cars in North America

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by freebeard

What this country needs is a good hardtop station wagon.

Hearse, hearse!

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Marketing explains the RAV4 and other 'utes. We're sold a fantasy of what life could be, or at least the opportunity of what life could be.

Sure marketing has some influence on that matter.

I don't have anything particularly against the Rav4. It's probably a fine vehicle.

Nowadays I like those JDM minivans more than the Rav4, even though I don't hate the Rav4.

[niky]

Originally Posted by JSH

Not really.

• A base model 1985 Honda Accord sold for $8845. That is $21,130 adjusted for inflation.
• A base model 2019 Honda Accord sells for $23,720.

So the price has gone up 12% in almost 35 years.

Of course that isn't a far comparison because the 1985 Accord was a subcompact car (Passenger volume of 85 cu ft) whle the 2019 Accord is a large car (Passenger volume of 106 cu ft). Even a 2019 Civic is a midsize car. (Passenger volume 98 cu ft and MSRP of $19,450)

Cars have gotten less expensive over time and much better.

I did a launch article for the new Civic a while back. It's got the same interior space and power as a twenty year old Accord, while costing much less, inflation adjusted.

Cars are much cheaper. Much better. It's just that everything else is so expensive now that what people can commit to the car purchase is compromised by their other expenses.

[Xist]

Completely unrelated, but I am still trying to write progress reports, which were hopefully not due at 1700, but instead midnight tonight.

I just heard on the news that Fiat-Chrysler lost a lawsuit about emissions fraud.

Has anyone shared that yet?

[redpoint5]

You're someone Xist. You're someone.

[Joggernot]

Here's one link

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news...ttle-emission/

[Daschicken]

I can't wait to get out of the auto service industry. Its ridiculous how many big heavy wheels I have to work on in one day. I love it when a prius with 15s comes in, as those wheels are feathers compared to everything else.



"But. But.....muh 20s bro."

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Xist

I just heard on the news that Fiat-Chrysler lost a lawsuit about emissions fraud.

Has anyone shared that yet?

Both Fiat Chrysler and Bosch settled lawsuits. They agreed to make payment but admitted no wrongdoing.

Fiat-Chrysler will pay $800 million and Bosch $131 million. That money is split between vehicle buyers (lost value), states (increased emissions), and fines to the Justice Department and State of California.

Both settlements have a 30 day comment period and then will go before a federal judge who has to approve them.

These settlements are much lower than VW because VW's cheat was much easier to prove. VW turned emission on and off based on front wheel angle. Fiat-Chrysler turned emissions on and off based on temperature. Automakers are allowed to disable emission systems in some cases to protect the engine from damage including temperature.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by JSH

Cars have gotten less expensive over time and much better.

I don't entirely agree. Of course "better" is somewhat subjective, but I think they hit their high point around 2000-05, and have been going downhill since due to the "infotainment" systems and the use of electronics to complicate perfectly simple things.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

I don't entirely agree. Of course "better" is somewhat subjective, but I think they hit their high point around 2000-05, and have been going downhill since due to the "infotainment" systems and the use of electronics to complicate perfectly simple things.

2000 Accord = 22 mpg
2019 Accord = 48 mpg

I care way more about fuel economy than controls for the radio or HVAC.

I do think that touch screens are a horrible user interface in a car.