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[cruisetopoland]

I keep coming back to the same train of thought about eco-cars; that being that after only a short lifetime they will become uneconomical to repair and will be scrapped/recycled.

Some argue that keeping an older more polluting car going is a sounder principle than scrapping and using raw material to build a new replacement.

My thought is that the current eco-range mostly based on profit and not on sound principle-that a newly built less polluting car should be simple, infinitely repairable and have a long useful life.

Perhaps one day they will combine some of the good designs of certain cars together in one good package that will be simple to produce, low emission, safe, repairable and long lived;

A galvanised chassis/frame with crash protection like the Smart
Replaceable bolt-on body panels like the Smart
A simple, basic drivetrain like the 998cc twin cam Toyota engine in the 107/C1/Aygo/Justy/Sirion which could be easily accessed and removed-and replaced when better electric/hydrogen/nuclear technology becomes available
Simplicity throughout with minimal electronics
The ability to adapt and update
All parts designed for long life and corrosion resistance

I would suggest that the smart way forward would be to begin producing a "base car" which you KEEP, which could be modified and updated as required and was not designed to become obsolete and require total replacement.

Manufacturers could pride themselves on longevity and ride the wave of personalisation seen in the Mini and 500-where owners make their own car bespoke.  In this way, dealers could become brokers of the base car and new and used upgrades of panels, trim, engine, modules etc.

The base car (chassis/safety cell), if designed to meet stringent safety and corrosion criteria would last indefinitely and could be infinitely remodelled-eg changing bodystyle from hatchback to estate, sport to off-road etc etc ad infinitum.

This whole change of ethic could prove more environmentally sound and would adapt to changes in tech, while being "bespoke" and infinitely adaptable.

I keep coming back this same idea, I had around the time i first saw a Smart and think it is becoming more relevant day-by-day.

Comments?

(all car sizes could be catered for (not just town cars) with a modular chassis system)

[cruisetopoland]

I suppose a bigger car could use a simple diesel like a 80s/90s 2.5 non-turbo Merc unit as these run forever.

Comments ont he idea appreciated 

[Andy H]

I think the problem is that governments don't trust us to look after our own vehicles and certainly don't trust us to build them.

The MOT covers 'normal' cars and the SVA covers specials so if you are determined enough you can build your own.

I have got an old range rover which is easy to swap engines or fuel source in but I haven't done so. Even with a super efficient energy source it would still be quite inefficient due to its weight and unaerodynamic shape. It also hasn't got airbags or crumple zones.

I think fashion, safety requirements and environmental legislation will mean that we probably wont see an everlasting car but as technologies evolve I think we will see car bodies developed by the manufacturers that can accept a variety of power trains without major modification.

[cruisetopoland]

I think the problem is that governments don't trust us to look after our own vehicles and certainly don't trust us to build them.

The MOT covers 'normal' cars and the SVA covers specials so if you are determined enough you can build your own.

I have got an old range rover which is easy to swap engines or fuel source in but I haven't done so. Even with a super efficient energy source it would still be quite inefficient due to its weight and unaerodynamic shape. It also hasn't got airbags or crumple zones.

I think fashion, safety requirements and environmental legislation will mean that we probably wont see an everlasting car but as technologies evolve I think we will see car bodies developed by the manufacturers that can accept a variety of power trains without major modification.

Thanks for the response 

Yes, agreed re: SVA, but cars could be modified at dealers and MOT/SVA checked after mods.

A galvanised, adaptable rolling chassis only legal with any changes signed off, with interchangeable and updateable power units and bodies could be the way forward.  In reality, you could keep a standard chassis and buy larger if needed and port your power unit and bits across?

There would be huge profit for manufacturers and dealers and resources would be saved.

[cruisetopoland]

Also meant to stress none of this would be DIY, all manufacturer crash tested component, engines, panels-interchangeable only at a certified dealer.

Bespoke is the new trend, this takes it further...