New Ultra Efficient Car! (157 MPG, 1.5 L/100 KM)

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Oh! Pardon me, I hadn't been back to this topic in a bit.

What I was saying is that more people in Canada need the SUVs they buy than people in the US. One look at LA would give you a great example of what I'm talking about. In LA, it's 'cool' to own a luxury SUV. In Calgary, it's more practical. Not entirely, but moreso. People in the US are more concerned with the image their vehicle gives than people in Canada. There's exceptions to every rule, that's a generality, but the figures don't really lie.

What figures are you talking about?

I know lots of people who have or had big SUVs and they didn't/don't need them. There are very few people who require what a Hummer can do, the seating (or towing) capacity of an Excursion.

I'm not familiar with what people drive in Los Angeles. Are SUVs particularly popular there? I think they have pretty strict (compared to the rest of NA) emission control standards in that state.

[FurnaceFace]

Company site: http://www.loremo.com/index_en.php

As you would expect from a 20hp engine 0-100 kph time is 20 seconds. Makes Deerfoot on-ramps a whole new adventure.

The GS version is much peppier with a 50HP engine and 0-100 times of 9 secs.

Extras: dashboard computer, air conditioning, MP3 player, navigation system.

Would be interesting to see what the efficiency is like with the North American emmission restrictions.

[Bill Bumface]

^ The bigger problem is our crappy North American Diesel

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

What figures are you talking about?

I know lots of people who have or had big SUVs and they didn't/don't need them. There are very few people who require what a Hummer can do, the seating (or towing) capacity of an Excursion.

I'm not familiar with what people drive in Los Angeles. Are SUVs particularly popular there? I think they have pretty strict (compared to the rest of NA) emission control standards in that state.

There's a book called 'Fire and Ice' by Michael Adams that talks about the social differences between Canada and the US. The fact that US car owners purchase SUVs at a ration of 2-1 over minivans, and that Canadian car owners purchase minivans at a ratio of 2-1 over SUVs is something he talks about. Canadians are less concerned with the image of the vehicle they own, and more concerned with the function of it. Americans are more concerned with the image than the function. You're right, there are very few who require what an SUV can do, and fewer people buy them in Canada. Mostly, (not all the time,) those who don't need one don't get one. They would get a minivan which has the seating capacity they need instead.

I'm not talking about emission control standards, but there is a reason they are so strict in California, and the purchase of unrequired SUVs (Not to mention just the total # of cars on the road,) is a large part of the reason they have them. SUVs are the 'thing' for superstars apparently, and the Jones' want to keep up with them so also buy the SUVs. It's all about the latest gadgets, and you can fit a much larger stereo, (not to mention 10 flat screen monitors with attached DVD players or game consoles attached or whatever,) into an SUV than you can a sportscar. Not to mention, minivans are just 'uncool' in LA. Who wants to look like they're all settled down into parenting and such? Again, it's all just about the image, and that's how they think.

[DuffMan]

I think my chainsaw has more Horse Power than that.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by FireFly

There's a book called 'Fire and Ice' by Michael Adams that talks about the social differences between Canada and the US. The fact that US car owners purchase SUVs at a ration of 2-1 over minivans, and that Canadian car owners purchase minivans at a ratio of 2-1 over SUVs is something he talks about. Canadians are less concerned with the image of the vehicle they own, and more concerned with the function of it. Americans are more concerned with the image than the function. You're right, there are very few who require what an SUV can do, and fewer people buy them in Canada. Mostly, (not all the time,) those who don't need one don't get one. They would get a minivan which has the seating capacity they need instead.

I'm not talking about emission control standards, but there is a reason they are so strict in California, and the purchase of unrequired SUVs (Not to mention just the total # of cars on the road,) is a large part of the reason they have them. SUVs are the 'thing' for superstars apparently, and the Jones' want to keep up with them so also buy the SUVs. It's all about the latest gadgets, and you can fit a much larger stereo, (not to mention 10 flat screen monitors with attached DVD players or game consoles attached or whatever,) into an SUV than you can a sportscar. Not to mention, minivans are just 'uncool' in LA. Who wants to look like they're all settled down into parenting and such? Again, it's all just about the image, and that's how they think.

I don't have stats offhand to back it up, but the small car market is much larger proportionally in Canada. We get small car models from American car companies that aren't even offered in the US.

-Pontiac Pursuit
-Pontiac Wave
-Chevy Aveo
-Chevy Optra

I'm sure there is more....

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I don't have stats offhand to back it up, but the small car market is much larger proportionally in Canada. We get small car models from American car companies that aren't even offered in the US.

-Pontiac Pursuit
-Pontiac Wave
-Chevy Aveo
-Chevy Optra

Actually, they do get the Aveo. The Optra (and Epica) are marketed as the Suzuki Firenza and the Suzuki Verona. GM took over Korean manufacturer Daewoo, and are producing them over there...

[FireFly]

And I'm not saying small cars aren't better sellers.... at least I don't think I said that. I'm just saying that for 'roomy' vehicles, minivans are more popular in Canada, and SUVs are more popular in the US.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Jake

Why do all super fuel efficient vehicles have to be ugly?

Right on man. Most of these cars have some of the worst designs possible, it makes you wonder if the car companies do this on purpose.

I mean that Hondo Insight with the covered rear wheels? **GAG**

This car looks like ass too.