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As a former auto dealer who sold thousands of SUV's to the likes of Mark Benjamin the first thought that came to mind was, "Mark Benjamin, hark, you have all the potential to be a sleazy auto dealer and make millions once the turn-around in the economy occurs."
It was a constant source of amusement and bemusement to me when people would come into one of my show rooms and insist that they N-E-E-D-E-D a four wheel drive vehicle, of any sort, despite the fact they did not live out in the country where unpaved roads can still be found and that their new purchase would be housed in a heated garage adjacent to their driveway that would be plowed for them before they left for work. For the uninitiated, a front wheel drive vehicle is virtual overkill in winter in almost any normal driving condition and generally achieves an MPG 25% to 50% higher than a four wheel or all wheel drive vehicle.
From 1991 when the craze began (with the success of the Ford Explorer), until a few years ago when I finally sold my interests in the most hypocritical of retail industries, I believe I heard every rationalization known to man as to why "THEY HAD" to have a four wheel drive or all wheel drive SUV. From necessity (we have a steep driveway), to safety (SUV accident death rates due to roll over are many times those of front wheel drive non SUV's), to space (a ninety six pound housewife and two small children, generally).
Despite all the cries and gyrations today's GREEN generation is no less hypocritical or illogical than the previous.
