by Nostalgia for Cars of the Past
Former US President Donald Trump again drew attention to automotive nostalgia this week. First, he became fascinated with Japanese “kei” microcars and stated that he wants to legalize their new versions in America. Now his administration claims that easing the fuel economy targets set during Biden’s time could revive the station wagon, that beloved long-roofed symbol of family vacations, road trips, and iconic films.
This idea was voiced by Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy, who stated that the administration’s plan to soften fuel economy standards “would allow the return of the 1970s station wagon, perhaps with a little wood paneling on the side.”
He added that it would be great for consumer choice freedom, as “the minivan is great, but maybe the station wagon is cool too.”
Why Did Station Wagons Disappear?
Cool? Undoubtedly. Likely? Not even a little. The truth is that Washington’s assumption misinterprets the reasons for the disappearance of station wagons from the American landscape. They were not choked by fuel economy rules. They were leveled by the SUV boom.
Buyers switched to SUVs because they allow you to sit higher, feel tougher, look less like a “soccer mom,” and boast off-road capability that you will probably never use.
Technical Details of the Changes
The new proposal will significantly weaken mileage requirements, lowering the 2031 target from 50.4 miles per gallon to 34.5 miles per gallon. Passenger cars must meet stricter figures than light trucks (which include SUVs and minivans), so the change could theoretically open the door for more “gas-guzzling” station wagons.
However, automakers will build them only if they think they can sell them, which is unlikely.
Political Fantasies and Reality
Of course, given Trump’s sudden fondness for kei cars, which would also be impossible to sell in the US outside a circle of enthusiasts, the administration clearly doesn’t understand very well which vehicles appeal to American drivers.
But if the White House can dream of a future where Americans buy 660cc microcars and station wagons with imitation wood paneling, then who are we to spoil the fantasy?
Just don’t expect your local dealer to get a new “Country Squire” in stock anytime soon. SUVs still rule the roads, and no amount of political nostalgia will shrink them back down to station wagon size.
The proposed changes to the standards are certainly part of a broader discussion about the balance between environmental goals, consumer choice freedom, and economic feasibility. Historically, the auto industry has always reacted to legislation, but also to demand. The modern US market has formed around powerful, more spacious cars, and shifting this paradigm will require much more than adjusting one regulatory indicator. The possibility of new station wagons appearing remains more of a symbolic gesture to a past era than a real technological or marketing trend.
