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How many cars does a family need?

How many cars does a family need?

While Europeans have long been opting for public transport, bicycles, and walking, Americans seem to be determined to stick to their cars. Often, an average American family is dependent on more than one vehicle. And “the big garage” has become an essential part of the perfect American family dream house.

How many cars does an average American family need?

Car ownership in the US is determined not so much by income level as by location and proximity. Families that own two or more cars might opt for multiple vehicles, each carrying its purpose. One for short city trips, another for weekend adventures. A family that chooses to invest in a single car will often settle for one all-purpose vehicle. Automotive transportation in the US has evolved in such a way that car ownership has become an indispensable means of moving.

On the other side of the Atlantic, a family would have fewer reasons to use a car, which is why it relies on fewer vehicles. Instead, the family members opt for public transport or even walking, especially when it comes to short city trips.

What are the differences of the US vs. Europe regarding transportation choices?

Below are the two hypothetical scenarios that illustrate transportation behavior of the families on both sides of the Atlantic.

  • Mary lives with her husband and kids in Cedartown, GA. Every morning, at 7 am, she drives 19 miles from Cedartown to Rome, GA to get her children, John and Ryley, to school. After she finishes work at the county hospital in Rome, she picks up the kids, and they head home, which is another 30-minute ride. Mary can’t complain, however, because her husband Clive drives twice as many miles each way to get to his job in Marietta, GA.
  • On the other side of the Atlantic, Philip, Clive’s mate from his years at Georgia Tech, has a different transportation routine. He rides the subway from The Hague, Netherlands to Rotterdam every morning to get to work. He covers almost the same distance Mary does on her way to Rome. Occasionally, Philip rides his bike to The Hague. The first time Philip started considering buying a car was a month ago, only because his wife Lisa is expecting their first baby.

The differences in transportation behavior might seem too obvious in these two examples. Although, it is important to illustrate how basic daily activities define our car dependencies. Public transport has never been an option for Mary and Clive and many American families alike. It would take at least double the time to get to work by public transportation vs. driving there.

Unlike in Europe where people are used to alternative means of transport, Americans still consider the personal car a sign of freedom.

Do you prefer car-sharing or car ownership?

Many young people in urban environments have found an alternative to car ownership in using car-sharing services or Uber and Lyft as their transport options. The conventional wisdom is that
culturally, youngsters will buy less and share more
. The pattern of the sharing economy is changing many industries today.

While the economic reasoning behind car sharing is evident, most Americans do not see the emotional benefit. Many still consider car ownership to be a safer, more convenient and reliable option than the car- and ride-sharing services. In which group do you belong?

What are the Historical reasons for car dependency development?

From the inception of Model T, Americans have been heavily dependent on cars.

The attachment to one’s car is not a new phenomenon. It’s a mindset that has been developing in Americans continuously over the past centuries. Ralph Buehler, Ph.D. named nine main reasons that have led to the car-dependency the Americans face today.

Starting from early automobile history, the fact that mass motorization originated in the US allowed for faster development and a decrease in the price of automobiles compared to Europe.

By the mid-1930s there was one registered vehicle for every two U.S. households. At the same time, in Europe, only the wealthy could afford a car. As a result, U.S. planners and engineers developed road standards sooner than Europeans. When they had already established standards for roadways, traffic lights, intersections and parking places, Europeans were still only experimenting.

Over the years, Europe has established higher vehicle ownership and usage taxes than the United States. Moreover, vehicle tax revenue in Europe goes into general government funds. In the US, large parts of the gas tax revenue are dedicated to roadway construction and improvement.

The development of the Interstate system in the 1950s has allowed for the smoother transition from and to distant areas. The Interstate penetrates cities, allowing quicker transit access to suburban areas. Most highways in Europe only link cities without connecting different city parts.

How do the US and Europe differ on transport infrastructure?

Additional Government subsidies in the United States have made driving less costly and highly demanded. Americans see the government invest more resources than what comes from their taxes. In Europe, on the other hand, many people pay more than what they actually see invested in infrastructure and transportation. This puts Europeans off, and they look for alternative means of transport.

Seattle public transportation
Seattle Public Transport

At the same time, the way European governments fund transport infrastructure also helped sustain public transit systems. Whereas in the United States many privately owned transit systems failed after WWII, mostly due to the lack of aid from the government.

In addition, cities in Europe have a long tradition of providing sidewalks and walking areas for people. In the past years, the cycling network in most countries on the old continent has improved significantly.

Walking and cycling in the US have been made a priority only in a few cities.

Residential neighborhoods in the US usually consist of apartment buildings or houses. In Europe, these communities often include medical offices, supermarkets, or cafes. The difference in the zoning laws and policies allows Europeans to make shorter trips to the places they need to visit, thus often making car usage unnecessary. And while in the US zones are still required to have a minimum number of parking spaces, in Europe, most areas have a maximum number of parking spots instead.

It is interesting how governments and the industry handle these differences in each of the two regions. European authorities put consistent efforts to curb car use and promote alternative modes of transport.

On the contrary, in the United States, the focus seems to be on modifying automotive technology to make driving even more appealing. Better seatbelts and airbags to increase safety, higher performance standards to ensure reliability and driving satisfaction are all factors that make alternative transport usage negligible for Americans.

Whether it’s the social factor, location dependency, or the way government encourages various transport modes, the car is still a major necessity for the American family.

And yes, you can see families with one car which leaves the garage only on weekends. But you can also see families that spend so much time behind the wheel that the only way they talk to each other is by lowering their car windows.

Are you considering downsizing your vehicle count?

Some analysts say that in the past years Americans have decreased their car dependency. They now drive less and choose smaller and lighter vehicles. So maybe the reality will change, after all.

If you have decided to reduce the vehicle count in your household, you have a few options. Selling your car locally, to a private party or dealership, is probably the most obvious choice. But thanks to the online car buying and selling, you can expand your buyer market beyond your city or state limits.

Yes, the car will need to be shipped to its new out-of-state owner, and that’s where car shipping comes in.

With a reliable auto transport partner like Corsia Logistics, delivering a vehicle to its new owner will be a breeze. For a more detailed description of the auto transport process, we encourage you to explore our website or get in touch with us via our online chat or by calling (818) 850-5258.

And if you are moving and not ready to part with your vehicles, we can help you transport your automobiles. Request a car shipping quote online on our website or call our logistics experts now. Thank you!

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Simon Moore
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Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
Elizabeth Woodward
High five's all around!
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Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
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Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
Definitely recommend
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I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
Top notch
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Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
Reliable, efficient
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Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
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Clean, efficient, wonderful
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Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
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Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
Highly recommend
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Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
Excellent Organization
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Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
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