How to improve the automotive industry?!
Discussion
Whenever I hear someone mention the future of the automotive industry, all the talk is surrounding alternative fuel systems etc, and although this undoubtedly is of huge importance, are there any other ways, be it through inventions or new legislation, to benefit the automotive industry?
For example, perhaps incorporate mini fans into the front bumper, that use wind to generate energy that could be used to somehow help the running of the car?! Okay admittedly that's a useless idea but you get the drift!
Soooo over to you...
For example, perhaps incorporate mini fans into the front bumper, that use wind to generate energy that could be used to somehow help the running of the car?! Okay admittedly that's a useless idea but you get the drift!
Soooo over to you...
I'd make all these various EuroNcap safety systems optional - multiple airbags, traction control systems, electric steering etc. I, and I'm guessing a great many other drivers, would have no qualms whatsoever about driving a car to a specification that only a scant few years ago was commonplace (Fiat Seicento etc).
That way, we could solve a lot of problems by making cars lighter, simpler and cheaper.
That way, we could solve a lot of problems by making cars lighter, simpler and cheaper.
Why do we need legislation to enforce passive safety features? If people want them, they can buy them. If they don't, surely they should be given that option? Amateurish said:
Those features are all optional. How many do you see in a Caterham?
Caterhams are not EU type approved because they are produced in such low volumes. All mass produced cars sold in the EU must have ABS and air bags. Stability control is becoming a legal requirement this year (I think). Electric steering isn't mandated, I'm not sure why he included that.
ali4390 said:
But would it improve the automotive industry for everyone? Or just for individuals passionate about driving? And realistically would something like that ever get passed?
My parents aren't the slightest bit passionate about driving but hate the fact they can't get a car without a load of electronic stuff in it they will neither use nor want to pay for. As a result, they continue to patch up their solid, simple '90s cars to run indefinitely (as do I).Look at DVD players. Once they were in four figures. Now they can still be bought in four-figure form, but you can get simplified ones for £9.99 from Asda if you're only bothered about watching films.
Look at motorbikes. You can get remanufactured old Japanese designs from Cinese factories from no-frills dealerships on the road for well under a grand.
The situation with cars is absurd. They could be a lot cheaper, and in the rest of the world they can be (my parents would snap up a Dacia Logan or a Fiat Palio like hot cakes), but in Europe it's like we're forcing people to buy Marantz broadcast-quality Blu-Ray players and ABS-equipped Honda DN-01s 'for their own good'.
Unusually I'm going to agree with Twinners and Kambites on this one, I'm all for maximising vehicle safety, but there's no reason why people should be forced to have it. As long as a car can pass a basic emissions test and has good enough passive safety to be safe in an average shunt, then it should be saleable.
I'd possibly add that it should be 'under engined' for the amount of grip it has to make things like ABS and Stability Control redundant, rather than just handing back full responsibility to the inept.
I'd possibly add that it should be 'under engined' for the amount of grip it has to make things like ABS and Stability Control redundant, rather than just handing back full responsibility to the inept.
ali4390 said:
For example, perhaps incorporate mini fans into the front bumper, that use wind to generate energy that could be used to somehow help the running of the car?! Okay admittedly that's a useless idea but you get the drift!
Yes, that is a useless idea.I think there needs to be a more balanced view on the environmental impact of cars - not just CO2, but cradle to grave impact.
We're now in a situation were 'green' 06-5 cars can be a scrapper if you get injector + fuel pump failures, which is utter madness. The age may be even less for for cars with battery packs. Yet this is where legislation is taking us.
We're now in a situation were 'green' 06-5 cars can be a scrapper if you get injector + fuel pump failures, which is utter madness. The age may be even less for for cars with battery packs. Yet this is where legislation is taking us.
The cradle - grave aspect is an excellent point.
I in no way have a problem with the green concept. I can see its numerous benefit. However people have become obsessed with CO2 output at the detriment of all else.
The Toyota Prius is a prime example - making it is a filthy, mucky polluting process, meaning that from first inception to its scrapping, a Toyota Prius will douse just as much muck into the skys as a normal car.
If we're going to do the green thing LETS DO IT PROPERLY - not just buy a Prius and think 'I'm doing my bit' when you're in fact doing nothing but making yourself feel self-righteous!
I in no way have a problem with the green concept. I can see its numerous benefit. However people have become obsessed with CO2 output at the detriment of all else.
The Toyota Prius is a prime example - making it is a filthy, mucky polluting process, meaning that from first inception to its scrapping, a Toyota Prius will douse just as much muck into the skys as a normal car.
If we're going to do the green thing LETS DO IT PROPERLY - not just buy a Prius and think 'I'm doing my bit' when you're in fact doing nothing but making yourself feel self-righteous!
Vocal Minority said:
The Toyota Prius is a prime example - making it is a filthy, mucky polluting process, meaning that from first inception to its scrapping, a Toyota Prius will douse just as much muck into the skys as a normal car.
The problem is, you don't know that - nobody does. From what I've seen, the only studies into cradle to grave impact of cars have been so biased one way or the other as to be comical. I read about some research using lasers to ignite the fuel rather than spark plugs. This is likely to make cars a fair amount more efficient:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-1316...
One change I would like to see is more aerodynamic cars. Given the level of expertise that exists in this area, there is no real excuse for some flat fronted 6ft high monstrosity. I would also like to see a much greater level of comfort in smaller cars. What's the real price difference between the crap bag interior and something average to OK like a golf - £300-£500? You may be driving a low powered car for savings on fuel/insurance, but it doesn't mean it should be a horrible place to sit.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-1316...
One change I would like to see is more aerodynamic cars. Given the level of expertise that exists in this area, there is no real excuse for some flat fronted 6ft high monstrosity. I would also like to see a much greater level of comfort in smaller cars. What's the real price difference between the crap bag interior and something average to OK like a golf - £300-£500? You may be driving a low powered car for savings on fuel/insurance, but it doesn't mean it should be a horrible place to sit.
The Crack Fox said:
thinfourth2 said:
Base car tax on the kerb wieght of the car
You drive a 2 ton lard bucket you get raped
You drive a 500Kg 2 seater you pay feck all
Keeps greens happy as it cuts down on resources used in cars
Keeps us happy as we get lighter cars
That gets my vote You drive a 2 ton lard bucket you get raped
You drive a 500Kg 2 seater you pay feck all
Keeps greens happy as it cuts down on resources used in cars
Keeps us happy as we get lighter cars
The Wookie said:
Unusually I'm going to agree with Twinners and Kambites on this one, I'm all for maximising vehicle safety, but there's no reason why people should be forced to have it. As long as a car can pass a basic emissions test and has good enough passive safety to be safe in an average shunt, then it should be saleable.
I'd possibly add that it should be 'under engined' for the amount of grip it has to make things like ABS and Stability Control redundant, rather than just handing back full responsibility to the inept.
...it's because the overall economic impact of fixing up broken people in the hospital, paying them benefits for the rest of their lives if they can't work again, looking after their families if they die etc etc, is more expensive for the Government than making people buy cars that minimise all those things.I'd possibly add that it should be 'under engined' for the amount of grip it has to make things like ABS and Stability Control redundant, rather than just handing back full responsibility to the inept.
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