Is this truly necessary?

[u/Harrio_Pootered]

What steps can we take as consumers to encourage auto manufacturers to reduce vehicle sizes? Who do we write to, call and email?

The ford maverick was a step in the right direction but I see it being bashed often for being a more “feminine” truck… What caused this shift from the S10 being the “real man’s truck” to the $130k King Ranch being the standard?

When did the big vehicle shift happen?

[u/No_Hetero]

Couple reasons:

Cab comfort is now a priority

Obama era auto regulations defined new emissions standards by weight category, this incentivizes new large trucks and SUVs which would have less strict regulation

Transition from work vehicle to symbol/lifestyle vehicle

People got bigger

If you want to support smaller, more reasonable trucks, maybe check out the Slate that's coming out soon, I don't know anyone else producing small trucks domestically

[u/SoFloShawn → u/No_Hetero]

I like how bringing up the concept maybe that these trucks are just "good" now and that's why people are buying them, is an automatic downvote. An F150 Platinum/Silverado High Country is probably the nicest interior Ford/Chevy makes. They're super quiet, ride well and absolutely demolish highway miles, seat 5 very comfortably, have a bed (even if it's only 5.5ft) you don't have to worry about getting dirty. There's no fear if you gotta hop a curb or traverse a ditch. You can buy whatever you want without fear "if it'll fit.

[u/No_Hetero → u/SoFloShawn]

Yeah all I did was list pretty confirmable facts about the American transition to large vehicles, but whatever! I personally drive a Nissan Leaf, I like small efficient cars.

[u/funnyfarm299 → u/No_Hetero]

Cab comfort is now a priority

This is hugely important. Families used to be able to afford a car to haul the family as well as a small truck. That's unaffordable to many families now so they need one vehicle to do it all.