[2ndDivisionVet]

Who told the automakers to eliminate ashtrays? The government? I don’t smoke, but that’s ridiculous.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Yea now you have to buy a cup shaped ashtray and put it in the cup holder and still have to put your beer can between your legs.

[molson209]

Cars had ashtrays ?

[Olog-hai]

As early as 2000, the media said the car companies were claiming it was to cut costs. Government involvement (depending on the country) seems to be centered around cutting down on “distracted driving”.

[ThunderSleeps]

No ashtrays? Where am I going to keep my loose change?

Can't wait to take my dog to the vet on a rainy day. Yeah, that ought to be fun for both of us...

[miliantnutcase]

Now, without ash trays everyone just flicks their cigs out the window... Brilliant indeed.

[dhs12345]

Here’s an article.

Mostly for cost reasons. Automakers figured that we didn’t want them. Ashtrays are handy for other things too like spare change and the occasional piece of paper.

http://www.thehogring.com/2012/04/28/whatever-happened-to-car-ashtrays/