I never suggested that someone who needs to tow should own anything but a
vehicle capable of doing it.

Maybe we should check here and see what we both believe, based on our own
observations. I'll use the word "truck" here to mean actual trucks, SUVs,
Humjobs, etc. Now: For every 100 trucks you see, what percentage do you
think actually tow anything, or, for that matter, to do ANYTHING that only
a truck can do? To assist with the answer, think about two things. First,
think about how trucks are sold in commercials - how they portray the
customers, and the activities shown. Second, think back to the 1960s -
1970s. Do you have any memory of how many trucks you'd see in parking
lots, compared to what you see now? I'm not talking about the parking lot
of a hunting lodge - I'm talking about places which represent a more
average selection of drivers.


All you are talking about Doug, is consumer preferences. People buy what
they want to own, depending on their preferences. The best way to change
what they buy is to change their preferences. If you are expecting
consumers to make those changes on their own, without a big-time motivator,
dream on. The is no more effective way to change consumer preferences
toward automobiles than with the price of gas. The process is underway.
Expect to see many less "trucks" in the supermarket parking lot in five
years. Seriously. This method of changing preferences is far more natural
and will be far more effective than any governmental mandated changes, and
will happen much more quickly than waiting for it to happen due to a rising
social consciousness.

The bonus of higher gas prices besides changing what people buy, is that it
makes the economic viability of, and therefore the research into alternative
energy technology more of a reality.