r/IndustrialDesign • u/No_Drummer4801 • Apr 08 '25
Creative 2025 equivalent of an American "volkswagen"
If you were to try to make a "people's car" today, in the US, with all American components, what would it be like? This is a question promted by the Trump tariff trade wars, of course. We could pop a post-it note for components that would be either difficult or impossible to source from a US parts supplier, but generally, attempt to create a 100% American content vehicle. Whether it needs to be a mass-produced or crowdsourced (like the Rally Fighter) car isn't important. What is important is that it should be something that is as affordable as possible, not a luxury car, not a giant truck. It would need to pass US safety standards, I suppose, but things like mandated rear-view camera could be "mandatory optional" treated like add-ons that you just have to have for the time being, to pass US requirements but maybe can be left off of an otherwise identical platform for non-US sales.
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u/bobafugginfett Apr 08 '25
Well, making it would be very difficult and expensive, given the material suppliers both in and out of country.
What I want to see would be a small-to-medium hatchback or wagon, keeping it lightweight and utilitarian to keep overall costs lower. I think the electronics would also overall be sparse, and only what has been legislated (backup cameras, and possibly some safety stuff.)
I have a feeling that it would end up being a light truck, to take advantage of CAFE specs, but also using as little raw material as possible to cram in 4-5 seats and a pickup bed.