Originally Posted by
AltheCyclist
The way I understand it, the US Gov't did the exact opposite of what is discussed above.
I.e. back in the 1970s, when passenger cars became emissions-regulated, the US conceded to auto-makers that "light-trucks" would be exempt from the smog laws (for a period).
As any good marketers would, carmakers then began to increase marketing of the SUV (which are technically and basically light trucks) vehicles (since they became more profitable without the added emissions control costs) to boost sales. And viola, the SUV boom began.
Fast forward to today and the discussion leads to gov't regulating SUVs (by CDL, etc.) to reduce the volume. Is the irony lost?
SUVs are today's station wagon only better. Many SUVs can haul loads equal to that of some pickups, and still ride like a luxury sedan, though not handle like one. A luxury car,pickup,and station wagon all rolled into one, no wonder it's popular, appealing to the macho as well as the meek.