I have never been shy about disputing the mix of vehicles sold by the major manufacturers. I have seen so many gaffes, bad decisions and idiotic "innovations" over the years and wonder how the big companies keep shooting themselves in the foot after 125 years. I have only been around for 86 years but have seen far more major companies fail than exist today. And even when they do something right a fickle public can reject their efforts and pick something dumb instead. A good example of this is the minivan, the best configuration of a family vehicle yet invented and a far better road trip vehicle than anything else. Yet we all know about the ridicule it has received once the SUV became the latest thing. The minivan is less expensive to buy, less expensive to insure, more comfortable, drives better, gets better mileage and has more passenger space than anything but the most monstrous SUV's. Since I have owned both I am keenly aware of the differences and own what is essentially a SUV myself.
In an effort to close the gap between the functionality of the minivan and the less commodious SUV something was developed called 'the third row seat' meaning that you could now put people where the luggage was supposed to be. Even small vehicles went that route with small children being assigned to the very rear of the vehicle where their little bodies were to absorb the impact of a rear end collision. I always hated those things for the very danger they presented to the rear occupants who were basically trapped inside with no door and for the loss of storage area that they incurred. I have heard all of the arguments about how the rear seats can be folded into the floor to create more room but the bottom line is the weight is still there and it is occupying an area that can better be used for storage and cargo. And the 3rd row goes even further flying in the face of reason when you consider that the average size of the American family has shrunk to about 3.1 from 3.7 several years ago. Clearly the trend of ever more seats is in conflict with the direction the populace is headed.
I recently read that a major manufacturer is dropping the dreaded 3rd row seat in one of it's popular mid sized models for 2025. That is a step in the right direction and hopefully an indicator of things to come. If you need a bigger rig with more seats buy it, plenty are available but stop trying to put 10 pounds is a 5 pound sack. All of the safety shit in the world that runs the price of new vehicles up so high won't save your child if he is sitting with his head almost against the back glass and some oaf with one too many beers can't stop in time.
In an effort to close the gap between the functionality of the minivan and the less commodious SUV something was developed called 'the third row seat' meaning that you could now put people where the luggage was supposed to be. Even small vehicles went that route with small children being assigned to the very rear of the vehicle where their little bodies were to absorb the impact of a rear end collision. I always hated those things for the very danger they presented to the rear occupants who were basically trapped inside with no door and for the loss of storage area that they incurred. I have heard all of the arguments about how the rear seats can be folded into the floor to create more room but the bottom line is the weight is still there and it is occupying an area that can better be used for storage and cargo. And the 3rd row goes even further flying in the face of reason when you consider that the average size of the American family has shrunk to about 3.1 from 3.7 several years ago. Clearly the trend of ever more seats is in conflict with the direction the populace is headed.
I recently read that a major manufacturer is dropping the dreaded 3rd row seat in one of it's popular mid sized models for 2025. That is a step in the right direction and hopefully an indicator of things to come. If you need a bigger rig with more seats buy it, plenty are available but stop trying to put 10 pounds is a 5 pound sack. All of the safety shit in the world that runs the price of new vehicles up so high won't save your child if he is sitting with his head almost against the back glass and some oaf with one too many beers can't stop in time.
