Jerry P. Hirshberg, Nissan’s retired president of North American design, once stated that when “Europeans think about safety, they think about a light, agile car” — much like the one pictured on the left. However, the “American image of safety is put a tank around me, get as much mass as possible and let Isaac Newton work his magic” (Bradsher, 2002; p. 107).
Of course, not all Americans think that way. But those of us who gravitate toward a European sensibility are at a potentially fatal disadvantage if our delightfully agile small car fails to avoid a collision with a large truck or SUV.
Also see ‘Will history repeat itself by punishing automakers for their big SUV binge?‘
RE:SOURCES
- Bradsher, Keith; 2002. High and Mighty: SUVs — The World’s Most Dangerous Vehicles and How They Got that Way. Public Affairs, New York, NY.
l’ve owned an ’84 Delta 88 and a ’12 Scion tc for about 3 years each. Liked them both. If l had to choose one to live with for the rest of my life, it would be the Olds.
But most of my cars were in the “middle” size-wise. Ford Granada, AMC Hornet, Chevy Lumina,3 Monte Carlos, ’97 Buick Century, ’00 Regal and a “daily-driver” ’64 Studebaker Commander.
The ’07 Monte Carlo (3500 V6) was one of my 2 favourites (the other was the ’84 Delta 88). It handled very well, got great gas mileage, (especially hiway) decent performance when needed, comfortable, attractive looks with “new” ’06/’07 nose.
ANYWAY, l don’t want an NSU Prinz, but l don’t want a ’58 Lincoln either. My ideal “car” considering EVERYTHING, would be a V6 Nissan Frontier if they still have the V6. Sorta likely. Maybe.
That makes sense. I don’t see this as a one-size-fits-all situation. My general tendency has been to own smaller cars, but for a while a van fit my needs better. My Prius V is a size larger than my Kia Rio because it’s a more useful camping vehicle. All that said, it is interesting how European driving habits can be so different than here in the United States.