Posted on 08/10/2005 11:37:05 PM PDT by beaversmom
Automakers are struggling with how to deal with a growing segment of buyers: obese Americans.
Like airlines, hospitals, and clothing and furniture makers, auto companies are adjusting to an ever more obese American population. With little fanfare, carmakers are incorporating engineering and designs that efficiently, comfortably, and safely take the obese into account.
Thats one reason the Honda Accord sold in the United States is 2 inches wider than the similar model Honda sells in Europe and Japan.
Its one reason seats in some General Motors models have longer rails to slide on, allowing more space between the driver and the steering wheel and the airbag inside it.
Its one reason adjustable pedals, marketed as a way to move short drivers away from airbags to ensure their safe operation, also allow drivers with large midsections to move well back from the steering wheel.
And its one reason a Japanese manufacturer is developing inflatable seat belts that could cushion the impact of bones swathed in a soft, fat body with a taut seat belt during a collision.
Much of the engineering and design changes are happening below the radar. An auto industry adage proclaims that you cant sell an old mans car to an old man, and it is also accepted that a car billed as built for the obese would turn away many buyers.
But the minute a vehicle is branded as being for a group such as the obese, youve limited your audience, said Sam Locricchio, manager of communications for group design at Chrysler Corp. Those who arent that, or who are but dont want to be called that, arent going to buy it.
This is pretty pathetic.
My weight loss, for the most part, has been deliberate and gradual, but I had a wicked flu a few weeks ago and lost 7 lbs in 6 days. That wasn't fun.
Got below 175 for the first time in 5 years and could fit into my old 34" pants.
Only problem was, I was too weak to walk, LOL!
Even the car-makers are super-sizing, i.e., making fatmobiles.
Are they doing this in league with big (really big!) fast food and with size-adjusting big (really big!) clothing makers? Is there a vast fat conspiracy?
So, why has big government forced the toilet-makers to swim against the tide and down size toilet capacity? Without getting graphic, the increase in size of Americans means toilet capacity needs to increase.
Instead of increasing capacity, the Clinton bureacracy passed rules around ten years back limiting new home toilets to 1.6 gallons per flush, instead of the old 3.5 gallons per flush. It clearly is time for President Bush and Congress to flush big government out of America's bathrooms and wipe the 1.6 gallon rule off the books. Keep one hand on a plunger and the other hand free to write your Congressman. When toilets are outlawed, only outlaws will have toilets.
True, this is one more reason why I support mandatory military service, we could cut this fat in half within 10 years, easily. People need to have respect for more than just their mental being, but their physical well being also. One peculiar thing I noticed whil I was overseas: Here in the U.S. our soda comes in 12 oz cans, in Kuwait and many other place it is 100 mL (think Red Bull). One small example, but indicitive of a culture of excess and obesity. If anyone reads this and gets mad, I have a perfect way to vent your frustration, come run about 6 or 7 miles with me, you'll feel better after.
What about the 44oz Super Big Gulp?
To be fair, the 8oz soda cans are making a comeback at Walmart and other stores.
Thank you for illustrating my point. Honestly, my soda intake is limited to about 3 or 4 per month. My vice is energy drinks (somehow I think I gain more from these). But the basic premise remains: due to my service in the USMC I have learned how to take care of my body and live a healthy life. I try every day to help my friends understand what they are doing to their greatest gift.
At a certain point of fatness, does the airbag become unnecessary?
We're doomed. DOOMED, I TELL YOU!
yes, the fatbag takes over
I actually once knew someone who said, after a post collision trip to the ER, "The doctor said that I was my own airbag!"
ok, so you do understand that the libs (and many of our non-dem libs) are all about paying for the problems of the obese. Until healthcare is fixed you're damn right I'm concerned about fattys. As far as mental health is concerned, obviusly there are problems. An aquaintence of mine has been represnting several individuals involved with the whole Ritalin issue. His name is John DeCamp and he has found evidence that many of the drugs prescribed today are involved in some ofthe worst school shootings in our country.
What we REALLY need is a congresscritter flush.
I flushed Teddy the Swimmer and all I got was this big plumbers bill.
Well I'd venture to say that the average American is significantly taller than the average Japanese for example.
Comparing apples to oranges.
I'm nearly 6'-3" and head room is a definite problem in some cars along with how far back the seat will go. There are plenty of people taller where the problem is only worse.
The shooters are nuts and the nuts get the Drugs of Choice.
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