The Reason Why Are Trucks Getting Bigger

You can't say it's definitely not ego. You can say there are regulatory issues that incentivize larger trucks, but if people didn't want them, they wouldn't buy them. Their mere availability doesn't explain it. It's a statement vehicle, that's how it's marketed. It's masculine, it's imposing, and it has the excuse of utility to assuage fears of appearing vain (a stereotypically feminine trait).

It can be other things, too: it can be useful to move shit around, it can be safe relative to the car you pancaked, it can lug your family around, it's the result of poorly thought out regulations. But it is also a vanity purchase. It's not bad as the justifications people would make when they bought Hummers back in the 2000s, but it's closer to that than a sheer calculation of utility and efficiency, which should be obvious because they don't have to be that goddamn big to move things around.

Disclaimer: I drive a Honda Fit. These trucks could turn me into paste. I'm irritated that I have to consider upsizing just to ensure my infant son survives a collision with a vehicle whose driver can't see in front of them. But I confess my car is a vanity statement, too. I bought it because I won't have to go to the shop as often (fingers crossed) and I won't have to buy another car for good long while. But it also has the vibe of being smart and urbane. Americans very much buy their cars based on image.

Also currently driving a Fit. I didn't own a car (of my own) for several years as my partner had one that we shared. When that ended and I bought a fixer-upper house, I initially wanted to buy a small pickup - think of the old S-10 or the older style Rangers and Tacomas - because it seemed to fit my needs:

- Rarely need to transport more than myself and one passenger

- Frequently need to pick up lots of supplies or drop off junk at the dump

- Drive in the city with lots of parallel parking/stop and go traffic

But used versions of those trucks were either quite old and/or still demanding quite a premium due to scarcity. All newer trucks were bigger than I needed, seemed to be focused on cab size over bed size, and a lot more expensive than what I had in my budget.

Instead I just got a Fit for under $10k cash. I've transported a full sized door and can even squeeze in a sheet of plywood or drywall if I cut them down the middle before loading. Most everything else is no problem. For the rare occasions where I need to haul something bigger, I just rent a truck for the afternoon.

I'd still love a small truck to make these trips easier, but I'm not currently willing to spend more or get something huge.

Also, I'm bummed that they stopped selling new Fits in the US. Great little cars.