Is Obesity to blame for slumping small car sales?

[Human]

Despite rising fuel prices, small car sales have actually decreased over the last three years, leaving some to wonder why American’s aren’t embracing fuel efficient compacts. While an exact reason is difficult to pinpoint, a new theory suggests America’s growing waistline is partly to blame.

According to Dan Cheng, vice president and partner at business consulting firm AT Kearney, there is a direct correlation between America’s obesity level and the sale of compact cars. Simply put, most Americans are too fat to comfortably fit within the confines of a compact car.

“I want to be environmentally friendly, but unless I am in an SUV these days … I find no pleasure or comfort in driving,” Karen Steelman, a stay-at-home mom from Georgia, told AOL Autos. Steelman has a body mass index of 37, which is seven points above the obesity mark.

Although the Center for Disease Control pegs the self-reported obesity rate at about 27 percent, Cheng says the actual level is closer to 40 percent. Cheng expects that rate to climb to 43 percent by 2018, which could prevent a large portion of Americans from even considering the small car segment.

While some may question Cheng’s theory, Resources For the Future, a Washington D.C.-based think-tank, says it has also discovered a direct link between obesity and small car sales. Sales figures seem to support both claims, with compact car sales slipping from 28 percent of the overall market in 2008 to just 22.6 percent in 2011.

Taking size seriously

Several automakers have taken notice of America’s expanding waistlines, with Ford even adjusting its database of human models to compensate for the growing percentage of obese adults. Elizabeth Baron, the company’s technical specialist for virtual reality and advanced visualization, say the Dearborn-based automaker has even altered center console and seat control designs to accommodate obese drivers.

Moreover, making compact cars roomier could become an important sticking point for automakers as we quickly approach 2016’s mandated 35mpg fleet average. If larger buyers continue to scratch less spacious compact cars off their shopping lists, meeting more stringent fuel economy ratings could prove to be more difficult than first thought.

Source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/is-obesity-to-blame-for-slumping-small-car-sales.html#

 

[Mr Robert]

I bet this is part of the problem. But that problem is mostly in the head. Small cars are usually only small on the outside.

 

[K-A]

I bet this is part of the problem. But that problem is mostly in the head. Small cars are usually only small on the outside.

Exactly. However, it isn't called "Fat America" for nothing. I love this Country but truth is truth!

One reason why I'd never buy something smaller than Midsize is because of all the behemoths on the road here.

 

[Top Secret]

Utter rubbish. Australia have a similar obesity rate to the US yet small car sales have increased.

 

[Monster]

I really think people should start taking more responsibility with their health, and things really should be the other way around, it is the people who should start losing weight and become healthier so they can fit inside their car, cloths, public transports, etc. We have reached the point where this planet can no longer sustain our wasteful ways of life. It is time to harden up get healthier and live more efficiently.

 

[K-A]

What's odd to me is that I could have sworn that small car sales are booming more than ever out here? Manufacturers are providing small cars, SUV's are getting smaller (or at least the huge ones like Tahoe, Hummer, etc. are either downsizing or disappearing), and it seems like people are more economically and compact-car conscious.

 

[MikeJ]

I bet this is part of the problem. But that problem is mostly in the head. Small cars are usually only small on the outside.

That's so true. For the last few weeks I've been driving my mom's Fabia for the reason that it was more comfortable for my wife during the last weeks of pregnancy than our Saab. I'm 190 cm tall and many people have asked if I don't find the Fabia cramped or uncomfortable, and they have a hard time believing that I have no problem at all finding a good driving position and that there's plenty of headroom for someone my size. Obviously I'm not obese, I might find the sport seats a tight fit if I was.

 

[klier]

^^ I even have enough space in a Toyota Aygo with 3 adult passengers. NO JOKE....though the ride shouldn't be like 200 km.....but 50 km would be fine.

But the average American male weighs twice my weight, probably. Most Americans are fat.

 

[Kowalski]

Britain also has an obesity problem and yet the Ford Fiesta is the best selling car in the country.

 

[Mr Robert]

This is another time when my beloved penalty tax on heavy cars (above 1,700 kgs or so) would work as a good incentive for people to think outside the box and leave their intellectual comfort zone. Very few people need anything bigger than an A6/5-series/E-class.

 

[Wolfgang]

19 fit into a smart. Quick now, let's make a LAW???

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[HighestOfHigh]

FYI - You really have to be careful when discuss things of this matter.

It's easy to say live better and take care of yourself. On the other hand there are a lot of people on the forum that will post pictures glorfiying drinking and smoking, which is as dangerous if not more dangerous then obesity. So if we are going to preach about healthy living then everything must be considered.

Secondly..Saying "Americans" are fat is just disrespectful. That is not the case for all Americans. It's just like saying all British people have bad teeth or all German people talk slow.

You can not generalize an entire culture. It's ignorant.

Lastly, it could be a certain level of comfort that could be the reason "small cars" aren't selling. In the 3 series, I felt like someone locked me in a small closet..yet the 7 series and 5 series was more comfortable and relaxing. Plus they are better on longer trips.

 

[Kowalski]

Obesity is not to blame, I reckon. Americans don't like small cars in the first place. Something like a Golf GTI, for example, is perceived as an overpriced econobox in America.

 

[Mr Robert]

Obesity is not to blame, I reckon. Americans don't like small cars in the first place. Something like a Golf GTI, for example, is perceived as an overpriced econobox in America.

Exactly. The actual size of the car has nothing to do with it, it is the perceived size that is bothersome... a state of mind, a vice, if you like. I mean, an A4 or a 3-series is regarded as a midsized sedan here and it is big enough for families.

I mean, you have to be circus-level obese to physically need something bigger than an E-class.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

with compact car sales slipping from 28 percent of the overall market in 2008 to just 22.6 percent in 2011.

Silly article.

The only reason small car sales have any margin to drop is because their sales were unusually inflated in 2008 because of high oil prices. People were jumping at the idea of trading-in for a smaller more efficient car. Now that the fear is gone and we've got used to higher oil prices, small cars aren't in such a great demand over here. A one-off spike in sales is the cause of the drop-off in sales...... American's didn't suddenly get SO FAT in the space of 3 years.

 

[Wolfgang]

my beloved penalty tax

Somewhat related, Mercedes-Benz dealer Michael Jackson proposes a fuel tax increase instead.

Nation's Biggest Car Seller urges government to boost fuel taxes.

This would raise money to repair crumbling transportation infrastructure and drive car buyers to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles, he suggests.

In addition, he urges the introduction of intelligent traffic signals as a way to reduce crashes and highway fatalities.

Jackson says proposing a rise in gasoline taxes is a strange move by a self-proclaimed Republican, but he passionately believes it would promote highway safety and reduce fuel imports.

Nation's Biggest Car Seller Targets Texting Scourge

 

[Mr Robert]

That is one way to go, many times people have to drive anyway, no matter what the cost of fuel. What is needed is a sharp incentive to make people with heavy, thisty, old cars take them of the road and get something smaller, lighter and less thirsty.

Governments tend to like the tax on fuel-solution, as that cost them the least and bring a whole lot back, as per my first statement. A more effective, and more costly way to go about, I think, would be to reinstate the "Cash for clonkers", in some form, and put a heavy tax on old and/or heavy cars.

 

[Giannis]

That is one way to go, many times people have to drive anyway, no matter what the cost of fuel. What is needed is a sharp incentive to make people with heavy, thisty, old cars take them of the road and get something smaller, lighter and less thirsty.

Governments tend to like the tax on fuel-solution, as that cost them the least and bring a whole lot back, as per my first statement. A more effective, and more costly way to go about, I think, would be to reinstate the "Cash for clonkers", in some form, and put a heavy tax on old and/or heavy cars.

I know that I am getting a bit off topic, but I'd like to say something on the matter of taxes.

Cars, are very easy to tax, when a gov't is in need of money. You can tax the gas/diesel, you can tax based on the weight, on the displacement, on the kW, on the price, on emissions, on pretty much anything. And, I think that it's obvious that you tax because you need money, not because you care about the environment, because if it all was about the environment, you should make green technologies cheaper/more affordable and accessible to the massses, not tax the hell out of ordinary peoples' lives!

 

[Beemer B773ER]

What is needed is a sharp incentive to make people with heavy, thisty, old cars take them of the road and get something smaller, lighter and less thirsty.

Why on earth would a government that is getting easy money via fuel taxes try to promote vehicles that use less fuel? Great MPG = Lower Gov.$$. Instead of taxing the masses, why not provide incentives/subsidies for those who are willing to purchase green cars?


Fascinating that a Mercedes-Benz dealer is proposing greater taxes on fuel inefficient vehicles, because when it comes to premium automakers, I'm guessing that Mercedes has the greater number of thirsty V8's and V12's.

 

[K-A]

Silly article.

The only reason small car sales have any margin to drop is because their sales were unusually inflated in 2008 because of high oil prices. People were jumping at the idea of trading-in for a smaller more efficient car. Now that the fear is gone and we've got used to higher oil prices, small cars aren't in such a great demand over here. A one-off spike in sales is the cause of the drop-off in sales...... American's didn't suddenly get SO FAT in the space of 3 years.

Interesting and probably very true. What I'd find more interesting to see is how our compact-car Sales are this year, compared to 2006/2007/2009.