The real reason US carmakers build trucks? Michigan roads

Over the past year and a half that I've been sharing my thoughts here on this site it's become clear that many of the readers are convinced that there is some grand conspiracy between U.S. automakers and oil companies. This massive collusion is put forth as the reason that domestic automakers have put so much effort into building and selling so many big trucks and SUVs.

I hate to disappoint all of you but the reality is far more mundane. The vehicles produced by domestic automakers are developed by people who predominantly live in the Detroit Area. Those of you live in other parts of the country and have never visited the Great Lakes state might be shocked by what passes for a road around these parts. Generally the only thing worse than the way our thoroughfares are constructed is the way that they are maintained. Particularly at this time of the year when temperatures cycle rapidly between frigid and spring-like, what passes for pavement tends to disintegrate at a frightening rate. Potholes that tear up wheels and suspension components are a regular feature. These SUVs are created by people who regularly commute on these roads and they are designed to survive this environment.

[Source: Autoblog]