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It's cheaper to make. I suspect the days of auto makers doing things to make cars look better are long gone. The focuses today are fuel economy, safety and cost cutting in manufacturing. Cars have essentially become just another appliance.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rokuremote
Rust prevention.
It seems to me that the plastic cladding is going to trap moisture, and result in faster rusting of the fender edges. I agree with jiminnm, plastic is cheaper than steel. Go back even to the 1980s, when some vehicles such as the Aerostar had fiberglass hoods, and most sedans today have plastic bumpers.
It seems to me that the plastic cladding is going to trap moisture, and result in faster rusting of the fender edges. I agree with jiminnm, plastic is cheaper than steel. Go back even to the 1980s, when some vehicles such as the Aerostar had fiberglass hoods, and most sedans today have plastic bumpers.
I guess, maybe.
These things take rocks and dings and seems like it might take that punishment better with no paint issues.
It's cheaper to make. I suspect the days of auto makers doing things to make cars look better are long gone. The focuses today are fuel economy, safety and cost cutting in manufacturing. Cars have essentially become just another appliance.
Plastic may also be lighter weight than a comparable metal piece and more forgiving of little dings and dents from flying road debris. If the rest of the car has a lot of plastic cladding/trim, metal around the wheel wells might not look cohesive unless it can be painted to match. Painted metal may also be vulnerable to chipping/scratches from road debris.
Plastic may also be lighter weight than a comparable metal piece and more forgiving of little dings and dents from flying road debris. If the rest of the car has a lot of plastic cladding/trim, metal around the wheel wells might not look cohesive unless it can be painted to match. Painted metal may also be vulnerable to chipping/scratches from road debris.
Yes, and when stones whack painted steel, they not only create an unsightly ding or scratch, they also often breach the paint protection and open the surface to rust. Certainly inside the fender, plastic skirts are used as stone guards. It may be that around the fender lip is also subject to stone damage, even if it's less frequent?
Having the metal body fenders is much better looking.
The black wheel trim is usually found on CUV's and SUV's. It gives the vehicle a rugged look and is supposed to provide some protection when off road.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jiminnm
It's cheaper to make. I suspect the days of auto makers doing things to make cars look better are long gone. The focuses today are fuel economy, safety and cost cutting in manufacturing. Cars have essentially become just another appliance.
It's probably more expensive to make. The fender underneath is still formed and drilled in order to accept the fasteners that hold the trim in place.
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