| Tango01 | 26 Jul 2021 8:50 p.m. PST |
… World War II "As American trucks and SUVs have gotten bigger, they now rival the size of the tanks American auto makers once helped build to win World War II. Pickup trucks are the most popular vehicles in the nation, with SUVs trailing not far behind, and they now in many cases exceed the length of the American M4 Sherman produced at the outset of America's involvement in the war in 1942. The tank was a mainstay of the Allied forces during the conflict, and American auto giants GM, Ford and Chrysler helped produce 50,000 of the steel beasts, before going back to producing civilian vehicles for the people back home…"
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Armand
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| Striker | 26 Jul 2021 10:57 p.m. PST |
Pretty silly article. Were station wagons from the 1970's longer than tanks? You know what else is longer than tanks from WWII? Tractor-trailers, RVs, boats being towed, etc. While American pickups and SUVs were built explicitly for peace-time purposes, some concern has been raised over their increasing size and the danger they could pose to pedestrians. There's the "crisis line" to scare everyone. |
| noggin2nog | 27 Jul 2021 2:47 a.m. PST |
I reckon a well aimed 75mm HE shell would pose more of a risk to pedestrians. |
| Cardinal Ximenez | 27 Jul 2021 3:25 a.m. PST |
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| JMcCarroll | 27 Jul 2021 4:31 a.m. PST |
In other news…. Water is wet. |
| Stryderg | 27 Jul 2021 5:15 a.m. PST |
I would think that a Sherman would pose a serious risk to pedestrians, especially if the driver was buttoned up.
YouTube link |
| Thresher01 | 27 Jul 2021 7:19 a.m. PST |
I'm willing to bet the new vehicles are more fuel-efficient though. |
| Choctaw | 27 Jul 2021 8:59 a.m. PST |
My F-150 sometimes sounds like a tank with all the clicking and clacking it does. |
| Andrew Walters | 27 Jul 2021 9:33 a.m. PST |
They will say whatever gets a click. |
| emckinney | 27 Jul 2021 10:02 a.m. PST |
I'm only baffled by people who buy huge SUVs for "convenience," then take half an hour maneuvering in and out of parking spaces. |
| noggin2nog | 27 Jul 2021 10:53 a.m. PST |
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| Tango01 | 27 Jul 2021 3:27 p.m. PST |
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FusilierDan  | 27 Jul 2021 4:58 p.m. PST |
They are all narrower and shorter (height) than any of those tanks. The threat to pedestrians and cyclists are the drivers who don't understand how to drive a seven and a half foot vehicle in a 10 foot lane even with yellow and white guide lines. |
| Oberlindes Sol LIC | 27 Jul 2021 6:57 p.m. PST |
From what I've seen, it's not a lack of understanding so much as a lack of caring. I suppose I should feel a little sorry for them trying so hard to compensate for what they're lacking, but I'm all out of those things to give. |
| Zephyr1 | 27 Jul 2021 9:01 p.m. PST |
Though more maneuverable, good luck on taking out a PzIV with an SUV. At least the M4 has a cannon…  |
 deadhead | 28 Jul 2021 7:36 a.m. PST |
Well I loved this. I have driven a series of SUVs myself over 34 years. Three Daihatsu Fourtaks, An LWB Shogun for 11 years, a Grand Cherokee (I loved that) for 10 years and now a VW Tiguan. All were far bigger than I needed, also it is a very long time since we had enough snow, even up here, to need 4WD and Greta Wotsit would castigate me (I hope that is the word and nothing more radical) for my planet destruction. But US SUVs are getting to be one heck of a size. The Suburban could not be less appropriately named for commonsense. In the Great Plains sure, but Manhattan???? |
| Tango01 | 28 Jul 2021 4:14 p.m. PST |
Happy for that my good friend…
Armand
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| Grelber | 28 Jul 2021 6:57 p.m. PST |
The original Volkswagen Beetle was 160.9 inches (4,079 mm) long, 60.6 inches (1539mm) wide, and 59 inches (149.86mm) high.
The Italian L3 tankette was 124.75 inches (3,170 mm) long, 55.125 inches (1,400 mm) wide, and 51.125 inches (1,300 mm) high.
So the VW is larger in pretty much every way.
Except weight/mass, where the L3 wins with 7,000 pounds (3.2 tonnes) to the Volkswagen's 1,850 pounds (840 kg). Grelber |
| Tango01 | 29 Jul 2021 8:57 p.m. PST |
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| Dn Jackson | 31 Jul 2021 5:37 p.m. PST |
"While American pickups and SUVs were built explicitly for peace-time purposes, some concern has been raised over their increasing size and the danger they could pose to pedestrians." I'm a fatal crash investigator. Pretty much anything with an engine is a danger to pedestrians. |
| Tango01 | 01 Aug 2021 3:51 p.m. PST |
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| Heedless Horseman | 12 Aug 2021 10:52 p.m. PST |
As UK driver… I HATE the Oversised SUVs, etc… and that includes Range Rovers! As a 'small'… but now, bigger than it should be due to 'design creep'… same 'model'…(now fold mirror to get in gate… but less 'boot' space!), car driver… the 'road tanks'…Block Vision…Take up ridiculous parking space… As second cars for 'school Run' all too often badly driven… (sorry Ladies… but often TOO TRUE!)… and 'inspire a 'We're Safe, FU' attitude!
Big 'Pick-ups'… in UK, how often do you see a pick-up with a LOAD?
Not 'picking on' US … just 'design trend'. It used to be just Volvo Estates that were a menace with the long overhangs.
'Elongated Limo's'… laughed my ***** off to see a 'Limo Hire' get totally stuck, 'grounded' on a roundabout!
Once, UK / US used to find the 'size differences' 'amusing'! Muliti-nationals, now, just seem to see 'Big is Best'… (Costs more!)…and that is what there is. |
