If Energy Was FREE, Would The World Be Driving Escalade's And LARGE Vehicles, Or Would The Product Mix Stay VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS TODAY?

When gas prices started to go out of control in the Jimmy Carter 70's people were forced to downsize into Japanese style economy cars like Corolla's and Tercel's, etc.

To refresh your memories or to teach you some history..."On July 15, 1979, President Carter outlined his plans to reduce oil imports and improve energy efficiency in his "Crisis of Confidence" speech (sometimes known as the "malaise" speech). In the speech, Carter encouraged citizens to do what they could to reduce their use of energy."

You could say Jimmy did more to lift Japanese cars and hurt American vehicles than any other President. Which in turn weakened the USA overall and helped get Reagan elected.

I remember those days well.

My dad was a Dodge guy. Polara's and Monaco's, ALWAYS with 383 or 440HP.

But when the crisis hit, dad was forced to switch to VW's. Dasher diesel wagon.

So even though there was a huge transition due to the cost of energy from large to smaller vehicles we want to pose an interesting question.

In 2020, if energy was FREE would EVERYONE start driving Escalade's and larger vehicles or would the product mix stay VIRTUALLY the same as now?

Discuss...

ricks0me - 10/24/2020 3:52:24 PM

+1 Boost

The whole world would have to do what the Lefties say because Global Warming is real. In other words >>> drive a 49cc 2 stroke scooter and mix your own gas and oil >>> and pay tax on your carbon foot print

Wait, What >>> Vote for Joe Biden and your headed in this direction

PUGPROUD - 10/24/2020 4:00:32 PM

+1 Boost

Historically the cheaper the gas the bigger and more powerful the vehicle and visa versa.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/24/2020 5:14:11 PM

+2 Boost

While there would be a increase in the sale of larger vehicles as fuel costs are not an issue, I think the product mix of vehicles sold will likely stay pretty much the same.

TomM - 10/24/2020 5:32:52 PM

+2 Boost

Frankly - I wish I could magically Lengthen a car.

I have a VERY expensive toy - a Ferrari 250 GTO - and Frankly - being tall - I really do not fit in it well - but - once you have driven that car - even scrunched (THAT is a technical term) into it - it really does not matter if there are OTHER cars on the road - none Compare. If it weren't so EXPENSIVE - everyone would have one - because once they have driven one - they all want one and really do not care much for anything else.

Otherwise - having had a gaggle of Kids - I would still need - and still remember fondly my Fullsize Station Wagons with the third seat. And the price of energy really would not change that either.

Foncool - 10/25/2020 8:53:49 AM

+2 Boost

<<< I have a VERY expensive toy - a Ferrari 250 GTO>>>>

Telaio - Please.

MDarringer - 10/24/2020 8:10:50 PM

0 Boost

The question cannot be answered because the cars that are on sale today are the products of socialist-oriented social engineering NOT and not customer-driven at all.

jeffgall - 10/25/2020 2:46:57 PM

0 Boost

The bigger question is what will people be driving if Biden is elected and his impacts to U.S. energy go into effect. Less U.S. energy production gives power to the Middle East, China, and Russia. Fuels costs will rise 2 to 4 times its current cost, raising the price of driving a car, as well as the shipping costs for food and ever other consumer product. This U.S. will go into a deep recession, combined with the higher taxes, and we will all be driving small econoboxes, just as the Democrats want us to.

MDarringer - 10/25/2020 4:24:57 PM

0 Boost

Democrats want to destroy the country. It's patently obvious. It would not surprise me if Joe and Cumala get assassinated.