Links to resources:
US Sales
UK Sales
AUS Sales
To answer some of your questions:
I’m not a greenie or a missionary of any cause. The reason I bought my Yaris was my passion for small fun to drive cars. Gas mileage and eco responsibility were down on the list – if at all. I don’t need bags of horsepower but just enough to put the occasional smile on my face.
That was then. Now, I’m a little more concerned.
The US has always had a passion for pickup trucks. I get it. Sense of security, commanding driving position, durability, hauling/towing, and for some, image. Unfortunately the volume of larger vehicles on the road is mirroring that trend here too in Canada.
Large and small vehicles are a bad mix. Looking at the roofline or through the rear window of the vehicle ahead of you is the taught practice for safe driving and seeing down the road. Nowadays that’s increasing more difficult, if outright impossible. Even parking lots are problematic.
My other concern is not as prevalent but growing.
NA has focused more in the past on clean air and less over GHG and fuel efficiency like their European counterparts. Notwithstanding the proposed freeze on CAFE standards (did it pass?) from 2020-26 to, ostensibly, allow manufacturers to produce safer vehicles, what’s the end game? You can only squeeze so much fuel efficiency out of a LT/SUV weighing 4500 lbs. Will the US look at revamping CAFÉ to limit vehicle weight - like they should - than the silly confusing standards like vehicle footprints/type they have now? If they do, how will it affect the economy? What about GHG that the European market is taking seriously?
Let’s not forget, fuel efficiency, clean air and GHG’s isn’t the only issue. The depletion of resources used in producing a NA vehicle, for example, weighing 1300 lbs more on average than their UK counterpart should also raise eyebrows.