Has the U.S. Reached Peak Vehicles?

[alienlovechild 75]

I'm sure there are quite a few exceptions but for many cities there are urban renewal projects that are causing a change in migration patterns (partially due to the recession). In 2009, I remember a report that showed many US Cities actually growing. In fact, some claim that we are on the verge of seeing the "suburban ghetto" as the population shift begins causing widespread gentrification in downtown areas.

I myself live in a small town on the edge of the bay area and yes I do walk 2 blocks to work, the car sits most days.

Few use the term "urban renewal" now as it has some bad connotations.

You're right that some inner cities got a boost and I've heard some attribute that to Friends and Seinfeld making city life look more appealing.

My guess from the cost of homes in the Bay area is that only a small percent of the population could afford to live in your neck of the woods. Not exactly a model for the nation.

[BluesTraveler 0]

The article states a fact, less cars were purchased, but ignores some important factors that aiding why there are less cars purchased per year.

1. Cars last longer! Average number of miles people drive a car has steadily increased.

2. Cars are more expensive. The cost for new and used cars have outpaced inflation. Used cars have retained more of their original value than older models. The barrier to entry for younger people isn't because they are on the net, it is because they can't afford a car.

[scandal 951]

There will be less cars being bought until the recession ends and if the recession doesn't end? There is a big credit hole to fill, I am not quite sure if anyone knows how deep it is, and how long it will take to fill it. We'll see.

The recession has already ended. 2009 4th Quarter GDP growth was likely somewhere in the 3-4% range.

I myself live in a small town on the edge of the bay area and yes I do walk 2 blocks to work, the car sits most days.

I live in a suburb about 20 miles from my downtown office. But I intentionally bought my house so that it's a short (<10 minute) walk to the commuter rail station. I walk to the train, take train into work, and have an even shorter (5 min) walk to the office downtown. Like you, my car is in the garage most of the time.

Are we the new norm? I doubt it. Most of urban/suburban/rural America was built with the automobile in mind. As stated in the original article, the fleet dropoff was from 250 million to 246 million. 246 million is still an awful lot of cars. Even if that drops a few more 10s of millions, we'll still have ~ 200 million cars on the road. Still, that may well be a newly emerging trend.

Another factor not mentioned in the article - how many of the cars in that national fleet are driving fewer miles? Cars (like yours and mine) that stay parked in their driveways and garages all day long are not consuming gasoline, tying up the roadways, or emitting pollutants. That counts just as much as fewer actual vehicles in the fleet.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I live in a suburb about 20 miles from my downtown office. But I intentionally bought my house so that it's a short (<10 minute) walk to the commuter rail station.

Out where I live, a home within a short (as you define it) walk to a commuter train station would cost you a ѕhitload of cash. Even in the recent housing correction, that particular category of housing stock saw barely a dent at all.

So most commuters still end up buying a short drive (as opposed to a short walk) from a commuter train station and then have to own a car for that drive. Oh and sign up for a 3 year wait list for a parking spot while they're at it

[Niels Bohr 72]

I might go out and buy a Honda Ridgeliner

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I might go out and buy a Honda Ridgeliner

Go for it Drive what makes ya happy.

[mawilson 2,133]

I might go out and buy a Honda Ridgeliner

Buy American, Mofo.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Buy American, Mofo.

Don't listen to Wall Street, NB. They wrecked the economy!

[mawilson 2,133]

Don't listen to Wall Street, NB. They wrecked the economy!

It wasn't me!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

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Edited January 8, 2010 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I might go out and buy a Honda Ridgeliner

Why do you hate America?

[scandal 951]

Why do you hate America?

Because he's never posted on the "America appreciation" thread.

Do you know what Osama Bin Ladin and all other America-haters have in common? They refuse to post on the A.A. thread.