Dagenais
Jun21-04, 06:31 PM
During a thread a started a few months ago, many claimed that Sports Utility Vehicles consume extremely large amounts of gas, as opposed to a sedan or other vehicles. (Not talking about those who were speaking only of full-size SUVs)
Edmunds, "Why do you hate the SUV?"
According to the October 7 issue of Automotive News, Bradsher thinks automakers "manipulate automotive journalists by setting up press events for sport-utilities in exotic off-road locations when they know the vehicle won't be driven that way." It further states "this distracts reviewers from evaluating the vehicles where most people drive them." Wow, and I always thought my staff did a pretty good job of identifying how even the most capable off-road vehicles will rarely be driven off-road by the average owner. Now I learn that my entire editorial team has been carefully "manipulated" by those dastardly automakers. (Can you hear the "protecting us from ourselves" overtones yet?) Thankfully, we all have someone like Mr. Bradsher to shine the light of truth on this otherwise dark and sinister plot, right?
Well, not really. When Bradsher says that SUVs use more gas than other types of vehicles, he's generally correct, although many compact, and even some midsize SUVs, can get better mileage than midsize and larger sedans. But where Bradsher clearly crosses the line into deceitful reporting is his assertions that SUVs are inherently dangerous. Indeed, the title of his book calls them "The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles." If you're hearing echoes of Ralph Nader's exuberantly alarmist Unsafe at Any Speed book from 40 years ago, you're on the right track.
Just thought it would interesting to share.
Edmunds, "Why do you hate the SUV?"
According to the October 7 issue of Automotive News, Bradsher thinks automakers "manipulate automotive journalists by setting up press events for sport-utilities in exotic off-road locations when they know the vehicle won't be driven that way." It further states "this distracts reviewers from evaluating the vehicles where most people drive them." Wow, and I always thought my staff did a pretty good job of identifying how even the most capable off-road vehicles will rarely be driven off-road by the average owner. Now I learn that my entire editorial team has been carefully "manipulated" by those dastardly automakers. (Can you hear the "protecting us from ourselves" overtones yet?) Thankfully, we all have someone like Mr. Bradsher to shine the light of truth on this otherwise dark and sinister plot, right?
Well, not really. When Bradsher says that SUVs use more gas than other types of vehicles, he's generally correct, although many compact, and even some midsize SUVs, can get better mileage than midsize and larger sedans. But where Bradsher clearly crosses the line into deceitful reporting is his assertions that SUVs are inherently dangerous. Indeed, the title of his book calls them "The World's Most Dangerous Vehicles." If you're hearing echoes of Ralph Nader's exuberantly alarmist Unsafe at Any Speed book from 40 years ago, you're on the right track.
Just thought it would interesting to share.