Evolution of Cars from 1970s-2010
The automobile industry is known for its constant remodeling and change from year to year. While there are not generally drastic changes, there are societal and cultural changes that affect the styling of the automobiles that companies produce. Beginning in the 1970 's there were drastic changes in society that completely altered the products ' car companies were distributing, such as the change from muscle cars to smaller fuel efficient economy cars. As time progressed the evolution of popular cars such as the station wagon, minivan, and SUV, were influenced by social, political, and economic factors that inevitable dictated the progression of the automobile industry. The 1970’s were an era of fuel price increases, and increased awareness for the many facets of the automobile such as safety concerns and emission control. The 1973 oil crisis was the most affecting instance in the 1970 's to the automotive market, as well as the first real market crash since the Great Depression. The oil crisis occurred when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OPEC, proclaimed an oil embargo in response to the U.S. decision to resupply the Israeli military during the Yom Kippur war. In response, OPEC members agreed to use their leverage over the world 's oil price setting to raise world oil prices. This action followed several years of steep income declines after the failure of negotiations with the major Western oil companies earlier that month. (State.gov) This had a profound effect on the world economy, because industrialized economies relied on crude oil, and OPEC was their predominant supplier. The 1973 oil crisis renewed emphasis on economy of vehicle operation, especially in the United States with its greater distances, arguably the nation hardest hit because of the prevalence of large, fuel thirsty cars. At the same time, new emissions and safety regulations were being implemented requiring major and costly changes to domestic vehicle
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