Top 10 Auto Industry Events of the 2000’s
It has been a tumultuous decade between 2000 & 2010 – and a lot has gone on within the auto industry. From Clunkers to SUV’s – electric vehicles to satellite maps – car tech has come further than anyone could imagine. Join Automopedia as we take a look back at what we feel is the best, most interesting, or most insane auto related events from the last 10 years.
10. Cash For Clunkers
From used car lots in Maine to the junk yards of Southern California – auto-related businesses were struggling in the later half of the 2000’s. Our Government felt it best to raise money and get customers back in dealership lots by offering up several thousand dollars for people to trade in beaters, and receive a fuel efficient auto. This deal was to be known as Cash For Clunkers. See, the $3500-4500 you were promised by Uncle Sam for your Ford Explorer towards a Ford Focus was supposed to inspire people to Buy American again – or at least just buy. It worked for a period – enough so that C4C was extended past its original deadline.
9. The Big Three
Oh yeah, these guys. One of the catalysts which brought forth the end of America’s strong auto industry (and eventually, Cash For Clunkers) was the misuse of funds and production of unpopular, over-sized vehicles by “The Big Three” car manufacturers – Chrysler, Ford and General Motors. Bosses for all companies were brought up in front of Congress – and last we checked not one of ‘em has a job. In the end – GM sold off most of its brands, Chrysler was bought out by Italy’s Fiat, and Ford is…well it’s still Ford…and they still produce Expedition.
8. Hummer H2
Hummer’s H2, as disgusting for any eco-friendly car shopper to think of, is on this list for one reason only – Hummer has been and always will be ripe for parody. Come on – look at the picture above! How can we live without stretch H2-Limos?! It has become the stereotyped Republican soccer mom vehicle or ride of any “douche bag.” And where would all those anarchist kids in Southern California throw their Molotov cocktails when they wanted to burn a truck?
7. Ford Mustang Reborn, Again
The Fifth Generation Ford Mustang first popped back up around 2004 and a half – 40 years after the original ‘64 and a half Mustang hit dealer lots. Many trash the updated “Rustang” – but we at Automopedia give praise for looking a hell of a lot better than the previous gen’s attempt to make Ford’s Pony up-to-date.
6. Danica Patrick
Love her or hate her – Danica has spend the last half-decade bringing attention and talent to the sport of Formula One racing. Throughout her career, Danica has blazed a path of female rivers in both F1 and NASCAR. She’s become an integral part of Andretti Autosport, had her own show of XM Satellite Radio, taken home a variety of checkered flags and is even on her way to giving stock car racing a try. She’s also added much-needed sex appeal to the male dominated sport.
5. The City Car
Along with the uprising of Electric Vehicles (See below) the “City Car” has become widely popular within the United States. Mazda2 & Nissan Cube – SMART Car, Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit can take inspiration from the likes of Fiat and Peugeot. Yes, America, you will get used to seeing tiny Italian and French cars take over your driveways – and then…THE WORLD! And ok, we’ll give a mention to the Hyundai Accent 2-door…but we wont like it.
4. Car Shares
As part of the urban attitude towards fighting pollution and city-wide congestion, many have adopted car sharing. Zipcar and PhillyCarShare have become two of the better known (out of dozens) multi-user autos. Usually, someone signs a membership, checks out where a local car is parked, goes to it and magic unlocks the ride for you! The concept has branched out not only all over the globe, but to other modes or transit. Some cities have adopted bicycle shares. Now, if we can only get Harley Shares.
3. Google Street View
With an army of camera-ready cars taking photos and sending them directly to orbiting satellites, Google changed the look of driving directions with their Street Views option. The Idea behind Google Street View is…wait, what the heck is going on up there?! Did that fire truck just run over an elderly person on a bicycle?! And what in god’s name is going on down here…
…good christ! Google Street View is pure EVIL!
2. Return of the DeLorean
Back to the…Past when John DeLorean snorted a boat-load of coke and tried selling the rest to FBI agents, the DMC died…hard. In 2006, a miracle occured – using a combination of new and original parts from the old DeLorean storage facility you can now have an all new 2009/1982 DMC-12, for the small amount of $42,500. Flux capacitor not included.
1. Hybrid Cars
Everyone seems to be producing a hybrid gasoline-electric automobile nowadays. But a mere 10 years ago the only major producer (stateside) was Toyota. Now, with the rise in gasoline prices, and death of SUV’s (we should say, their rebirth as “crossovers”) almost every company is working on the next big hybrid. Tesla, a private company, has a well publicized all-electric car – too bad they went belly up.
Regarding City Cars; I wouldn’t mention the Hyundai Accent 3-door. If people actually know this car exists, and test drive it, it would likely result in more sales for Hyundai. I know, it happened to me. I didn’t even know the 3-door existed until January of this year, so it wasn’t on my new car shopping list. I almost bought a Yaris or a Fit. I considered the Versa as well. I still shudder when I think about it. I wish I was kidding. I test drove all of these, and many more, including the Soul. The Soul was very compelling, but the Accent SE was the stand-out amongst the rest. It was much more car for the money… more fun, more warranty, more cash back. And it has a attractive, convention hatchback styling….nothing weird or cartoonish. “More fun than a Honda Fit” was the verdict of one car reviewer. The Accent had “personality”. In the interest of ensuring the Honda Fit’s coronation as best subcompact, and not distracting buyers from the new Ford Fiesta, please refrain from mentioning the Accent 3-door. It will only confuse people who were told the Accent wasn’t the equal of the others in it’s class. Nothing to see hear people, move along.
Dec 18th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
[...] happenings from 2000 – 2010. Just when you thought “ok, I’m safe from the top 10 best of lists of the 2000’s” you were only partially correct. It’s been a bad 10 years for America’s car [...]