> Pickup truck expansion,
Itself triggered by poorly thought out public policy.
> embracing poor driver controls and visibility,
Appears to somehow be driven by profit motives. I remain perplexed that it works though.
Itself triggered by poorly thought out public policy.
> embracing poor driver controls and visibility,
Appears to somehow be driven by profit motives. I remain perplexed that it works though.
No. There was no policy that required Ford and Chevy marketing to encourage customers to associate "8 ft high front end" with "better truck".
Pedestrian deaths are related to vehicle grill height, not weight. We could have the same modern monster trucks with a lower grille and have fewer pedestrian deaths.
My understanding was that people were forced to purchase what was available as the smaller trucks were disincentived by regulations.
My 2000 2500 has a hood approximately at my belly button. Most current 1/2 tons have a hood height at my nipple (I'm 5'8).
A Pillars have gotten significantly thicker too, making it harder to see pedestrians at corners.
Then there is the expanding cab and shrinking bed. The visibility in a standard cab truck is phenomenal, you are surrounded by glass. Higher beds are also harder to use, which doesn't matter for most truck buyers because they buy them as a statement, not for utility.