Your Modern Car Is Fat: City Widens Parking Spots To Accommodate
Read the full story on The Auto Wire
People are laughing after a city announced it's widening parking spaces to accommodate larger modern vehicles. The news has also fueled a debate about whether or not modern vehicles are all that large, why they're growing, and what else it's impacting.Colchester City Council in the UK says it's widening at least some parking spots so larger modern rides can fit. It's included in an improvement plan for certain areas in the city, reports the BBC, but people seem to be concentrating on the parking stall issue above the rest of the improvements.
Some Americans have seized on this news and used it to rail against Chevy Suburbans, pickup trucks in general, or whatever type of vehicle they don't like. What they fail to understand is up until a few years ago, crossovers weren't too common in Europe, including the UK (we know some Brits claim they're not part of Europe).
But there's been an explosion in the number of crossovers on the continent, which has put the pinch of things like parking areas, since they tend to be wider than the wagons which used to be so popular.
Just like here in North America, ever-stringent safety standards for cars in Europe have helped fatten them up, too. After all, designs to keep drivers and passengers safe in a side impact means thicker doors, wider frames, etc.
It doesn't help that people are getting bigger as well. Everyone can debate how or why that's happening, but car seats have grown in size, making it necessary to expand the width of vehicles.
This parking crunch has hit many other places, with some deciding to just repaint the lines so modern vehicles fit without issue. But some people want to put the blame on the size of the current Chevy Silverado, of which there are likely few, if any, in Colchester City.
Image via Jan Kopriva/Pexels
Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
2 hours ago
- The Hill
Governors should end California's ludicrous and harmful electric vehicle mandate
In the Biden administration's waning days, the Environmental Protection Agency granted California permission to implement an electric vehicle mandate that several other states adopted, despite the economic turmoil it would create for American consumers and businesses. In granting a waiver to implement California's Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, the EPA attempted to clear the road for other states to go beyond existing federal regulations and sign on to California's pledge to meet escalating annual electric vehicle sales quotas that effectively ban gas-powered and conventional hybrid cars by forcing zero-emissions vehicles to comprise 100 percent of all new car sales by 2035. Twelve states and the District of Columbia have hitched their wagons to California's regulations. In response, Congress recently passed a Congressional Review Act measure to revoke the EPA waiver that gave California effective permission to ban new gas and hybrid power vehicles. Notably, 35 House Democrats and Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) joined with Republicans in voting to repeal the waiver. President Trump should waste no time in signing the Congressional Review Act resolution into law, despite California's promise to challenge Congress's authority to rescind the waiver in court. Legal challenges aside, when it comes to electric vehicles, reality is proving to be a stubborn obstacle to politicians' zeal and environmentalists' wishful thinking. Traditional cars with gas engines and newer hybrid engines are widely popular because they are budget-friendly. In addition, the market conditions and infrastructure capabilities are nowhere near ready for the fantastical transition demanded by the new mandates — one that will be massively expensive for American families and taxpayers. A recent national survey showed that 65 percent of America's middle class struggles financially. Forty percent of all Americans are unable to plan beyond their next paycheck. Factor in inflation and the costs and effects of Trump's tariffs, and consumers agree the future looks bleak. Out of all their wallet worries, electricity prices are an extra-sore spot for consumers, with already spiking rates expected to increase as much as 30 percent for more than 65 million Americans. Consumers' grim economic outlook, shaky purchasing power and genuine infrastructure concerns are reflected in zero-emissions vehicles' lackluster national sales. Even the more ambitious forecasts have sales falling short, recognizing that national electric vehicle sales may reach only 16 percent in 2028 — the same year California's and the others states' rules would require electric vehicles to account for a whopping 51 percent of new vehicle sales. Some of these states have electric vehicle sales rates in single digits. Even California, where electric vehicles account for a relatively high 25 percent of new car sales, is lagging far behind its own requirements. Electric vehicles currently make sense for affluent early adopters with large amounts of disposable income and lifestyle habits to transition ahead of others — not so much for those in less fortunate economic positions. Even groups pushing for more adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles admit that 'electric cars still cost 25 percent more' than other vehicles. Electric vehicle owners in more privileged situations also face challenges. Some are stranded in 'charging deserts,' far from public infrastructure, and thus face a lose-lose proposition: They have to choose between installing a $1,000-$2,500 at-home charger or overload their circuits and run up electricity bills by plugging into existing outlets. If drivers are fortunate enough to live a reasonable distance from one of the 64,000 public electric vehicles chargers, data shows one in five simply don't work. New Jersey was quick to hitch itself to California's electric vehicles mandate, and businesses in the state have been sounding the alarm. The New Jersey Business and Industry Association recently urged Gov. Phil Murphy (D) to stop this rule taking effect, which they said 'will significantly add costs for both consumers and businesses during a severe affordability crisis.' In contrast, governors in Maryland, Delaware, New York and Massachusetts — all Democrats — have taken recent executive actions to steer their states away from onerous and unworkable sales quotas by delaying or withdrawing the associated penalties. Too many Americans are worried their families' income will not be enough to afford high housing, grocery and electricity prices, as well as price hikes from tariffs. Instead of adding to that burden by leaving Sacramento in the driver's seat, governors of all these states should give their constituents a reprieve from California's impractical and economically back-breaking mandate by delaying enforcement or withdrawing entirely. Mario H. Lopez is the president of the Hispanic Leadership Fund, a public policy advocacy organization that promotes liberty, opportunity and prosperity for all.
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Delinquent Auto Loans Reach a Record High in Q1 2025
A wave of thick air currently surrounds the new and used car market, as trade tariffs and other factors make cars not only more expensive to buy, but also to keep running. According to data from S&P Global Mobility, the average age of a car in the United States is 12.6 years old, and everything about owning a car feels more expensive these days. Insurance premiums are high, a visit to the mechanic for repairs is a costly endeavor, and even gas can cost an arm and a leg if you own a real gas guzzler. However, some people end up so fed up that they bite the bullet and get themselves a new or new-to-them set of wheels. If they don't have all the cash up front, they sign up for a car loan; however, new data shows that more Americans are falling behind on their car payments, too. In a new report from TransUnion, one of the three largest credit agencies, along with Experian and Equifax, 1.4% of auto borrowers were at least 60 days behind on their auto loan payments during the first quarter of 2025. While this might seem like a minor issue, it is noteworthy because it is the highest delinquency rate for the first quarter ever, higher than last year's figures and even those seen during the recession, specifically the first quarter of 2009. It shows that borrowers still feel the aftereffects of pandemic-era auto lending on different types of loans. Borrowers who financed used cars were found to be the most problematic. TransUnion found that 1.9% of used car borrowers were 60 days late on their payments, slightly higher than the 1.8% figure from the previous year. Though it may seem insignificant, it proves a concerning trend within an already challenging landscape. On the other hand, borrowers who financed new cars maintained a steady delinquency rate of 0.6%. As of the first quarter, the average balance of an auto loan rose to $24,413, a 1.6% year-over-year increase from last year. This comes as cars become more expensive, higher interest rates impact borrowers, and extended loan terms (longer than 72 months) become the norm. Some blame for today's auto loan delinquency rate falls on loans made in 2022, when car prices were high and credit conditions were stunted. Back then, the federal stimulus checks and unusually high credit scores made many borrowers look better on paper than they were, leading to many getting approved for loans that would've otherwise been risky for lenders. Additionally, owning a reliable vehicle has become more expensive. Satyan Merchant, an automotive and mortgage business leader at TransUnion, notes that a rise in car insurance premiums, maintenance costs, and gas prices significantly contributes to missed payments rather than uncontrolled borrowing or a poor sense of budgeting. Erik Laney, the CFO of Santander Consumer USA, also echoes this concern. During remarks at the Auto Finance Summit East on May 13, he said that the auto finance sector is experiencing a "fairly unique" stress level. Auto loans experienced an increase in delinquencies compared to other types of debt, such as credit cards, because they were disproportionately affected by recent events, including fluctuations in used-vehicle prices. He pointed out that as a result, some buyers are making payments on car loans that outweigh the actual value of these cars. As these values decline and owners face financial pressure, these loans will begin to show their cracks. A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York adds more color. The New York Fed's analysis, which also included data from Equifax, another credit bureau, revealed an increase in total auto debt and a rise in auto delinquencies of at least 90 days during the first quarter. Over the past year, auto loan balances increased by 1.6%, bringing the total to $1.6 trillion. However, it's important to note that these balances actually decreased by 0.7% from the fourth quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of this year. This trend has only been observed once in more than a decade. The Federal Reserve also reported that 2.9% of auto loans are now classified as "seriously delinquent," meaning they are 90 days or more past due. This is a slight rise from 2.8% a year earlier, but the Fed described the rate as "stable." "Transition rates into serious delinquency have leveled off for both credit card and auto loans over the past year," New York Fed economist Daniel Mangrum said in a May 13 statement. This type of news highlights just how important it is to approach car buying responsibly and plan financially, especially if you're considering a purchase in 2025 of either a new model or a pre-owned vehicle. It's truly important to take a step back and thoughtfully evaluate your financial situation and set a budget that you can actually comfortably afford. I get it: a new or new-ish car can be incredibly tempting, but in today's auto financing landscape, you must take a closer look at any plan that comes with a payment. The proof is in the pudding, and the challenges aren't always in the fine print. By being diligent, you can protect yourself from potential hurdles and make a decision that won't wreck you or your credit. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Hill
5 hours ago
- The Hill
GM investing $4B in production shift to US
General Motors (GM) announced plans on Tuesday to invest approximately $4 billion in domestic manufacturing plants, shifting some of its production from Mexico to the U.S. as the company navigates President Trump's tariffs. The investment, which will be made over the next two years, will support increased production of the company's gas and electric vehicles, the company said in a news release. GM said it will add domestic production of the popular gas-powered vehicles, Chevrolet Blazer and Chevrolet Equinox, both of which are now manufactured in Mexico. The GM manufacturing plant in Spring Hill, Tenn., will add production of the Blazer starting in 2027. The Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, will begin production of the Equinox beginning in mid-2027. The GM press release noted that sales of the redesigned vehicle were up more than 30 percent, year-over-year, in the first quarter of 2025. The Kansas plant also 'remains on track' to start manufacturing the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV by the end of 2025, according to the press release, which noted that, in the future, the company expects to make new investments in the Kansas plant 'for GM's next generation of affordable EVs.' GM also announced that the Orion Assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich., will start production for gas-powered full-size SUVs and light-duty pickup trucks in early 2027 'to help meet continued strong demand.' GM CEO and Chair Mary Barra said the investments in domestic production reflects the company's commitment to supporting Americans workers. 'We believe the future of transportation will be driven by American innovation and manufacturing expertise,' Barra said in a statement. 'Today's announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to build vehicles in the U.S and to support American jobs. We're focused on giving customers choice and offering a broad range of vehicles they love.' 'Today's news goes well beyond the investment numbers — this is about hardworking Americans making vehicles they are proud to build and that customers are proud to own,' GM President Mark Reuss said in a statement. 'As you travel the country, you can see firsthand the scale of our manufacturing footprint and the positive economic impact on our communities and our country,' Reuss added. The company said this latest investment will allow it to assemble more than 2 million vehicles each year in the U.S. The announcement also comes after the company revealed plans to invest $888 million in the Tonawanda Propulsion plant near Buffalo, N.Y.
