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The only thing stopping this democratization would be crash-worthiness. While this is more true for Western markets currently, regulations will come to India as

by llampx 6y ago

The only thing stopping this democratization would be crash-worthiness. While this is more true for Western markets currently, regulations will come to India as well. However many Indians ride in the 3-wheeled death-traps called auto-rickshaws so I don't know... I've personally been in one which almost rolled over when the driver made a sharp turn at (relatively) high speed.

pyrale 6y ago
> The only thing stopping this democratization would be crash-worthiness. There is no trouble making small crash-worthy vehicles if the standard vehicle is no more than a few hundred kilos and is limited to 30-50 km/h. On the other hand, the current trend for western vehicles has been to make vehicles that are more and more dangerous for their environment, but which are themselves well-protected. So there is a good argument that regulation could move towards western standards by banning small cars, but banning larger cars could also produce good safety norms.
- carlmr 6y ago
  >banning larger cars could also produce good safety norms. It's a classic tragedy of the commons situation. Individual safety means endangering others. You can't get rid of all the transporters and trucks from businesses, vans for families, etc., so people will continue to want that individual safety, meaning bigger cars.
- MayeulC 6y ago
  > vehicles that are more and more dangerous for their environment, but which are themselves well-protected. Don't be fooled by what they tell you. A heavier vehicle is more dangerous to its occupants as well. https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/02/as-cars-get-heavier-even-small-speed-differences-matter-in-a-crash/ https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/02/as-cars-get-heavier-eve...
  - morberg 6y ago
    I’m confused. The article you linked to says the opposite: > Ironically, much of this trend is fueled by the fact that safety sells, and the biggest, heaviest cars are the safest—for their occupants, at least.
    - MayeulC 6y ago
      Sorry about that. I'm slightly confused too. Size doesn't make much difference in case of a full-stop (wall or similarly-sized car). It could help with bigger crumple zones though. In the end, I am not sure what proportion of passenger injuries is affected by car weight, but would love to see the data. And being heavier makes a car universally more dangerous to its surroundings. Which might be part of the appeal.

by llampx 6y ago

pyrale 6y ago

> The only thing stopping this democratization would be crash-worthiness. There is no trouble making small crash-worthy vehicles if the standard vehicle is no more than a few hundred kilos and is limited to 30-50 km/h. On the other hand, the current trend for western vehicles has been to make vehicles that are more and more dangerous for their environment, but which are themselves well-protected. So there is a good argument that regulation could move towards western standards by banning small cars, but banning larger cars could also produce good safety norms.

carlmr 6y ago
>banning larger cars could also produce good safety norms. It's a classic tragedy of the commons situation. Individual safety means endangering others. You can't get rid of all the transporters and trucks from businesses, vans for families, etc., so people will continue to want that individual safety, meaning bigger cars.
MayeulC 6y ago
> vehicles that are more and more dangerous for their environment, but which are themselves well-protected. Don't be fooled by what they tell you. A heavier vehicle is more dangerous to its occupants as well. https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/02/as-cars-get-heavier-even-small-speed-differences-matter-in-a-crash/ https://arstechnica.com/cars/2021/02/as-cars-get-heavier-eve...
- morberg 6y ago
  I’m confused. The article you linked to says the opposite: > Ironically, much of this trend is fueled by the fact that safety sells, and the biggest, heaviest cars are the safest—for their occupants, at least.
  - MayeulC 6y ago
    Sorry about that. I'm slightly confused too. Size doesn't make much difference in case of a full-stop (wall or similarly-sized car). It could help with bigger crumple zones though. In the end, I am not sure what proportion of passenger injuries is affected by car weight, but would love to see the data. And being heavier makes a car universally more dangerous to its surroundings. Which might be part of the appeal.