![[discussion] Who thought this was a good idea?](https://mander.xyz/pictrs/image/9c895bf4-e38d-4a8c-8660-0263ed85f664.jpeg){kind=link}
One of these pulled up at my workplace today and I can not get over how stupid they look and that got me thinking, who thought making a shittier version of an Odyssey was a good idea.
This thing can’t be useful as a truck, can’t seat as many as a van, costs $50k and burns more gas then an Odyssey (10l/100km hwy vs 8l/100km hwy). Does anyone who drives these things think they are hot shit?
Checking the Wikipedia article on the Toyota Hilux reveals that ~1995 was peak pickup truck, and everything since then has been objectively a step in the wrong direction. I know this community is Fuck Cars, but this version was indestructible and actually amazing for the kind of shit people bought them for. Not many people would buy this to drive the kids to school or do the weekly shop. Actually, we had one when I was a kid, and I would ride in the back sometimes (just on farm roads in the UK) and it was awesome.
The popularity of pickups now is just insane. I can’t understand why they’ve gotten so massive, and are owned by so many people who are clearly not using them for any work type purpose.
Most drivers in north america drive alone (76% https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-22/how-americans-commute-to-work-in-maps) The idea that the standard vehicle should be a large truck seems insane. That Hilux might be a terrible choice for commuting but its looking more and more sensible then these bloated excused phobia of vans, cars, or bikes.