"RG" wrote in message
. ..

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.


The thing is, I'm not suggesting government mandated anything. What I *am*
suggesting is that the government might be able to lose its unwillingness to
offend the auto industry, and present the public with information would help
them change their preferences. Why not? It's no different than the
advertising which makes people buy things, right? People don't just buy
based on their own preferences. They also do so because humans are
"clubby" - they want to be members of a group, no matter how stupid the
group may be. Sometimes they choose the wrong group, sometimes not. But,
effect one customer, and he/she may effect others. Actually, that's a
virtual certainty.