How do auto manufacturers continue to make cars stiffer?

Question

For example....im watching Motorweek and when they talk about new model year vehicles.....some improvements include a stronger or stiffer chassis from the previous year.....how is that possible.....the improvements are always 30% stiffer or strong, 60% stiffer or stronger and its usually with trucks......and I ask myself, ....... "Self .... stronger or stiffer compared to what?????? last year???"........At this rate .......these frames or chassis should be indestructible by now........, is there some new metal being used that wasnt used before? how can there be that much of an improvement over the year before.....what were we driving before ....cars and trucks made of cardboard......please .....educate me?

i understand the safety aspects of making cars and trucks stronger..... but what i dont understand is how every year each manufacturer claims that their car or truck is X % stronger than the year before it.....even if it is the same truck ?

Answer 1

Since cars and trucks are generally made as cheap as possible, the metal isn't as thick as it could be! This is a problem especially in the frames of vehicles, as the more the frame flexes, the faster it breaks,--- the more it wears supension and tires! Also it does little to protect occupants if the "tinfoil" all wraps up around the passengers bodies!

It is true a more flexible body gives you a better -softer ride! But a stiffer less flexible ride gives you more feeling of what the car is doing (nice in sportscars)!!

So all they are doing is using heavier metal in the frame area (and sometimes the body too) possibly heavier stuff in the suspension! And of course they are spending more money to build the car, ----- it will nost likely be passed on to you!

Answer 2

I used to work for a Suzuki/Subaru dealer and I loved to drive, I worked in service and sales at different car dealerships and have had driving and crash courses(we would crash cars on purpose to see how same they were) on many different makes. Subaru's are probably the safest cars out there. I was at work one day and went to run an errand for the service department. I wanted to take the Subaru service car. I got stuck taking the Suzuki. I got into a small car accident but the way the car reacted to the accident, well I am now unemployable because of the pain I am in. I have been disabled by this small accident. Had I been driving a Subaru I would still be working today. Why? Subaru has passive as well as active safety features, built better to absorb impacts and better handling. Thanks to the Suzuki I am in constant pain.
In answer to your question, yes they are okay cars they look good and if mmaintained properly they can last, but all cars can if they are m,aintained. Are they safe NO!
Buy a Subaru, Honda or Toyota

Answer 3

Hi,My friend I think personally when they went to uni body construction of the chassis,it was the worst and unsafe thing they could have done. It`s costing a lot of lives.You look at these accidents they have in the CITY and they look like they happened on a stretch of highway doing 100 mph. Some of these city accidents the cars are not recognizable as to what type or model it was before the crash.Some scenes you wonder how the people survived.I try to purchase a good size car,a small one you are asking for trouble.

Answer 4

Just a gimmick to make people buy new cars.