Re: A Smart Car That’s Pretty Stupid

by Judd Wiley
May 26th, 2008, 10:24 pm

Lewis, You hit on something that’s always perplexed me. Why do fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly cars have to look so … weak?

Here’s a picture of me in Paris, standing next to a smart car. The car is slightly bigger than me.

Judd in Paris

The same thing goes for the Toyota Prius. It’s not a car that your average red-blooded, car-loving American man would ever want to drive. It looks sad, feeble, pathetic.

What this tells me is that these cars are being marketed to a certain type of person … the weenie. The executives at Smart and Toyota know their customer. They know the right look.

When do we get a fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly car that looks cool, in the hot rod sense of the word?

For example - If this car had 50 mpg and a low carbon footprint, I’d buy it immediately.

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Posted in Environmentalism, Technology, Uncategorized Rage |

4 Responses to “Re: A Smart Car That’s Pretty Stupid”

  1. 1 | Paul C. | May 27th, 2008, 9:19 am

    >>>
    Why do fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly cars have to look so … weak?
    >>>

    So you admit it?!
    Your fascination with Ford Subdivisions, and the like, have something to do with a delicate ego!

  2. 2 | Judd Wiley | May 27th, 2008, 9:47 am

    Paul C! Good to have you back, and thanks for the free psychoanalysis. You might be on to something there. I do feel much stronger with 350+ horsepower at my toetips.

    Would you like to reply to my comments from May 13?

  3. 3 | Judd Wiley | May 27th, 2008, 10:05 am

    Let me say something else.

    If the smart car pushers, Prius drivers, and all the rest want to persuade a large number of Americans to drive fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly cars, why don’t they pressure auto manufacturers to manufacture cars that are aesthetically appealing to the average American?

    It’s no secret that, for decades, Americans have been buying and driving cars that they believe make them look “cool,” for lack of a better term. Roadsters, hot rods, muscle cars, executive sedans. Why don’t you guys push for fuel-efficient cars that have an aesthetic appeal beyond the weenie environmentalist crowd?

    Or is this really about jamming both the type and look of new-age automobiles down everyone’s throats?

  4. 4 | Lewis Derkins | May 27th, 2008, 11:18 pm

    Judd, that’s definitely your finest picture.

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