Rather than the straight lines, faux wood, and chrome finishes of 1980’s vehicles, the designs today include matte finishes and soft, curved lines. These modern, futuristic styles are directly related to the requests of buyers and the ever changing style of the time period. Car buyers today are not looking for the most flashy car, but rather the common person wants the car that can save them the most money. The new curves and design of cars do just that. According to a New York Times article, “the [new] look has sprung from designers’ quest for improved aerodynamics, which are especially important in electric and hybrid vehicles.” Therefore, designers are motivated to accelerate the speed they work to find a more aerodynamic style, which will save drivers money. The old design of cars like the 1985 Ford Escort were primarily boxy and made with real chrome and steel. In result of being manufactured with real steel and chrome, the style contradicted with the fuel efficiency. The materials added weight to the hull, which affects the miles per gallon the vehicle can get. According to the US Department of Energy, a 10% reduction in the weight of the car can equal a 6-8% in the car's fuel efficiency. Car buyers of today admire the style of classic 80’s cars like the 1985 Ford Escort, but they decide to drive a 2015 Ford Focus because an environmentally friendly car …show more content…
These exponential increases in gas and car prices have directly contributed to the rapid growth in car fuel efficiency. The oil embargo of 1975 rose the gas prices, which directly made the fuel efficiency of cars double. By 1985, gas prices decreased, and the car buyers and makers cared less about the efficiency. Today gas prices are on the rise and the EIA predicts that by 2025 the average car will get 54.9 miles per gallon. Also, in 1985, the base price of a Ford Escort was 5,827 dollars while the base price of a 2015 Ford Focus is nearly four times that, around 20,000 dollars, which only demonstrates the rise in price of a car. Although there was inflation over the past thirty year, the cars today come with more features, including GPS, Bluetooth, touch screens, and better fuel efficiency. The 20,000 dollars for a car today is better than the old Ford Escort because drivers the 1980’s drivers will need to pay more per gallon. With more unemployment today, car buyers are even more aware about their spending. The 2015 Ford Focus gets around eight miles per gallon better than the Ford Escort, which would save car buyers at least 300 dollars a year. The car manufacturers have made more environmentally friendly cars, saving the world’s limited supply of gas. The common car buyer today considers a car that is the most environmentally and economically