Ugh, yes. This is amazing. I went from driving a beloved Honda Fit for 10+ years to, recently, a Mini Cooper. It always shocks people when I tell them that my Fit was smaller on the outside and significantly bigger on the inside—like, the layout of that car was just unmatched. I could fit multiple bikes in the back with the seats down!! We used to MOB to parties with 8+ teenagers smushed in that thing!! I'm so mad they don't make them anymore.
Proud to say the only cars I’ve owned are the original 2015 Fit and a current electric 2-door Mini, both murdered-out. (A new electric Mini gets announced tomorrow, but TBD if/when it’ll come to the US, because China and taxes.)
So I don’t know what you’ll think about this but I’ve been following a little startup called Alpha Motor Corporation (https://www.alphamotorinc.com/wolf) that is (ostensibly) making EV trucks that seem to channel the design language and more importantly, the size, of old school smaller pickups…I’m definitely a fan of the Wolf (and its slightly larger cousin the *Superwolf*, [sadly not a Will Oldham reference as far as I can tell], especially because that’s what I would have named a car when I was 7, and it even looks like the kind of car I would have wanted when I was 7, KC lights and all. You know…fuck it, it’s actually the kind of car I still want now, even if it could benefit from a less modern paint job (I think that missive was actually the first edition of the ‘sletter I read).
Now whether or not they actually end up making any of the things isn’t really the point; as with the Meyers Manx Dune Buggys and the Canoo techno-VW Bus *someone* —in this case startups (that may or may not actually be just an office and an address)—seems to be taking note of the gap in the market that the big boys refuse to acknowledge, which puts us at the mercy of…venture capital, I guess, for our future small yet badass vehicles, possibly making them inherently torched and uncool? Not ideal, but I’ll still take one robo-taliban truck please!
really enjoyed this 'sletter and wanted to share that in my neighborhood we have what we call "the socialist pickup truck" it's a smaller chevy pickup that is for the use of the block for hauling larger items and it's a great way to get to know your neighbors!
Yes! This! I have a 2007 Fit that I will never get rid of.
In Japan this Spring I was introduced to the wonderfulness of kei cars. I'm obsessed with kei cars now and have been researching how to import used cars from Japan to Canada. Maybe I should start a sauced-up used car dealership that only sells kei cars????
reminds me of going to europe in 2000 and falling in love with the Ford Ka, wondering why it wasn’t available in the US. eventually they came out with the Focus but it was such a lame variation.
I sold my Fit Sport last year for an Element SC, to accomodate a dog and a kid and etc. I don’t regret it per se, but I do mourn that perfect Fit with 40k miles.
Related, how is there no mention of the Element here?
It's hard being a car enthusiast in that space too, it feels like there's never enough appreciation for the swag of the compact car. Some other interesting examples include Mercedes' Previa-reminiscent W168 A Class and the Japan exclusive Honda S660
The end of cool small cars
My wife refers to these whips as vehicles with ~Good Feel Economy~
a lot of the REALLY teeny tiny cars in france that i covet so badly are actually made for people who lost their license cuz they drove drunk too much and they only go up to like 30mph https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15345640/an-aixam-to-grind-a-sub-class-of-tiny-french-cars-that-caters-to-drunks-the-elderly-and-kids/
This ding dang hit BBSP
Ugh, yes. This is amazing. I went from driving a beloved Honda Fit for 10+ years to, recently, a Mini Cooper. It always shocks people when I tell them that my Fit was smaller on the outside and significantly bigger on the inside—like, the layout of that car was just unmatched. I could fit multiple bikes in the back with the seats down!! We used to MOB to parties with 8+ teenagers smushed in that thing!! I'm so mad they don't make them anymore.
"Fears over safety as analysis shows ‘autobesity’ epidemic means cars getting wider and longer" says the UK Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/aug/26/more-than-150-car-models-too-big-for-regular-uk-parking-spaces
Proud to say the only cars I’ve owned are the original 2015 Fit and a current electric 2-door Mini, both murdered-out. (A new electric Mini gets announced tomorrow, but TBD if/when it’ll come to the US, because China and taxes.)
I love this. I love small cars like an old or new fiat. They will return. They will.
So I don’t know what you’ll think about this but I’ve been following a little startup called Alpha Motor Corporation (https://www.alphamotorinc.com/wolf) that is (ostensibly) making EV trucks that seem to channel the design language and more importantly, the size, of old school smaller pickups…I’m definitely a fan of the Wolf (and its slightly larger cousin the *Superwolf*, [sadly not a Will Oldham reference as far as I can tell], especially because that’s what I would have named a car when I was 7, and it even looks like the kind of car I would have wanted when I was 7, KC lights and all. You know…fuck it, it’s actually the kind of car I still want now, even if it could benefit from a less modern paint job (I think that missive was actually the first edition of the ‘sletter I read).
Now whether or not they actually end up making any of the things isn’t really the point; as with the Meyers Manx Dune Buggys and the Canoo techno-VW Bus *someone* —in this case startups (that may or may not actually be just an office and an address)—seems to be taking note of the gap in the market that the big boys refuse to acknowledge, which puts us at the mercy of…venture capital, I guess, for our future small yet badass vehicles, possibly making them inherently torched and uncool? Not ideal, but I’ll still take one robo-taliban truck please!
As a Euro enjoyer of the OG Renault Twingo and long-time Suzuki Wagon-R/utilitarian K-car worshipper, it’s interesting to get this wider US insight
really enjoyed this 'sletter and wanted to share that in my neighborhood we have what we call "the socialist pickup truck" it's a smaller chevy pickup that is for the use of the block for hauling larger items and it's a great way to get to know your neighbors!
the "enshittification" of cars?
Yes! This! I have a 2007 Fit that I will never get rid of.
In Japan this Spring I was introduced to the wonderfulness of kei cars. I'm obsessed with kei cars now and have been researching how to import used cars from Japan to Canada. Maybe I should start a sauced-up used car dealership that only sells kei cars????
reminds me of going to europe in 2000 and falling in love with the Ford Ka, wondering why it wasn’t available in the US. eventually they came out with the Focus but it was such a lame variation.
Amen!
I sold my Fit Sport last year for an Element SC, to accomodate a dog and a kid and etc. I don’t regret it per se, but I do mourn that perfect Fit with 40k miles.
Related, how is there no mention of the Element here?
The Cybertruck will save the day ;-)!
It's hard being a car enthusiast in that space too, it feels like there's never enough appreciation for the swag of the compact car. Some other interesting examples include Mercedes' Previa-reminiscent W168 A Class and the Japan exclusive Honda S660