Car Crisis: The End of the American Dream? | DW News

The story behind America's car affordability crisis. From rising prices for new cars, skyrocketing insurance and expensive repairs, explore why owning a car is becoming a luxury for many in the US. Is the 'American Dream' in crisis?

#Cars #USA #DWNewsShorts

Follow DW on social media:

[bmoreruckus]

“Maintenance expenses” have soared because they insist on turning everything in a vehicle electronic. Even gas pedals have sensors and are digitally controlled now instead of a simple spring and lever, which was unheard of failing. But what do I know, maybe we need refrigerators and stoves that won’t work if the Internet goes out…

[randomritchie]

I live in yhe US have never purchased a new vehicle and I own four vehicles currently. No one said you need to own a new vehicle, used cars are still affordable my newest car is a 2011 my oldest is a 1994.

[citizenenak]

The auto industry demanded cities rip out the rails that connected the cities and the politicians that did this got automotive dealerships in return. Salt Lake City, Utah is a case in point. Our countries evolution had been at the behest of self interested politicians and corporations since our inception. In fact our Constitution started out by relegating some human beings to only 3/5ths the value of others. This is what a federalist does by putting its ideological hands around the neck democracy bu strangling it.

[WouldntULikeToKnow.]

Unless you live in a huge city with halfway decent public transportation like NYC, having a car is necessary here. It's a shame public transportation is basically non-existent in most of the US. Having to rely on a car isn't "freedom", it's an expensive ball and chain.

[zomgmii]

The American Dream has been dead for years now.

[Susandevine-qh]

I think one of the big reason is that younger people don’t want a vehicle. Teens don’t want to saddle themselves with the debt and can get around with assistance from family, friends or public transport. The prices are rising in part because share holders won’t accept lower share payments. So by rising prices they keep the same value.

Plus with Covid no one needed a car, and younger drivers are waiting to see how the EV future will affect their choices; there are plenty of good used vehicle choices.

[catmonarchist]

According to the US inflation calculator, 38000 dollars 5 years ago is 46000 dollars to day so the price has gone down!

[burgewo]

I live in Oklahoma my 2024 Toyota corolla was $24, 444.

[thatonedude]

When I think of america I think of obesity, oversensitivity and grey wastelands.

[jamestregler]

We lost most of our street cars in 1960 ( Old New Orleans) 😎

[mikicerise]

Pfft. Come down to Spain. US car prices on less than half the salary.

[SerephimLife]

I work from home and bike or uber. Why deal with insurance and maintenance nightmares?

[SeeLasSee]

In time quality EVs will get more affordable. Maintenance costs will also be much less. AI will make driving more safe. This high cost phenomenon is but a blip.

[joshwebb]

Foreigners may think this, but it’s not true. You can pick up a car so cheap. Have programs to help out poor people get a car for free. I’m paying $56 a month on insurance I have never use public transportation and never will

[swift_learn]

That's cheap compared to EU standards

[joshwebb]

My Harley was 2500 bucks no insurance needed. If you’re handy enough to fix the vehicle, you don’t need to buy an expensive one

[merrydaye]

The American dream is not just dead but mummified. Best end stage capitalism money can buy!

[manjeetgill]

Surely the market pays what the market can afford. Prices have risen due to increased ecomica surely????

[Sam-nbev]

Americans should switch to two wheelers.

[AlexdaCunha]

Makes total sense. Cars were way too cheap for the damage they cause to the environment. It is time to change the paradigm and life might get much better with fewer cars around