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Open Source Car — 20 Year Lease, Free Fuel For Life
ruphus13 writes "The race for a hyper-fuel-efficient car is on in a big way. Now, Riversimple has tried to leverage the knowledge of the masses to bring its vision to reality soon with a car that gives the equivalent of 300 miles to the gallon. 'The idea to build an open source car isn't a new one, but you've got to give vehicle design company Riversimple credit for originality. The company plans to unveil its first car in London later this month, a small two-seater that weighs roughly 700 pounds. If you agree to lease one for 20 years (yes, 20), Riversimple will throw in the cost of fuel for the lifetime of the lease...The team decided to release the car's designs under an open source license in order to speed up the time it takes to develop the vehicle while also driving down the cost of its components.'"
Yes I called Americans cowards. I am one but I don't watch TV and find that most Americans are afraid of their own shadow if the TV tells them to be. Oddly, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles are still used in small numbers; largely because the TV doesn't market against their safety, I suspect...
1st thing people get concerned about is safety with compact cars; wasn't such a big deal before the 90s push to have massive SUV killers-- and the promoted attitude of "at least I'll be in better shape than the other driver" plus marketing it to mothers-- the few mothers I discussed this with were all for killing others to lower injury to their family. It wasn't a question of equality but a COLD WAR of wanting to be safer at the expense of others (and their pocketbook.)
In the 80s people were not nearly as bad; some sort of marketing push must have happened around the 90s probably trying to broaden the appeal of "small dick" vehicles to women.
Its a culture of FEAR and the market promotes it because its easy money. Driving my compact car is only risky at highway speeds where its more risky for any kind of car not just mine; but MORE SAFE than me biking around town. Over here every winter more SUVs wipe out because they think 4 wheel drive somehow defies the laws of friction! The TV implies somehow stopping with 4-wheel DRIVE is better...
Democracy Now! - uncensored, anti-establishment news
Did you watch that video ?
Yes. The Smart got punted like a football. The Mercedes driver would have walked away, while you, the Smart driver would be, at best, in a wheelchair forever, after being crushed from the knees down. I don't care how the car body fares. I care about how my body fares.
For a little car, the Smart is very, very good. If it got better mileage (US), I'd seriously consider buying one.
But lets not delude ourselves about its construction and safety.