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Our love of SUVs is killing people in the streets

Americans are fond of supersized fast-food meals and colossal convenience-store fountain drinks, even though they're clearly bad for our health and U.S. adults keep getting fatter. We also like large vehicles, and our love affair with SUVs is killing people in the streets. According to a recent investigation by the Detroit Free Press/USA Today, the increase in SUV sales over the past several years coincides with a sharp rise in pedestrian deaths in the U.S. — up 46 percent since 2009, with nearly 6,000 people killed in 2016 alone. With SUV sales surpassing sedans in 2014 and pickups and SUVs currently accounting for 60 percent of new vehicle sales, it's no wonder Ford announced in April plans to cease U.S. sales of almost all passenger cars. And this followed Fiat Chrysler's move to virtually an all-truck, -SUV and -crossover lineup. While the Freep/USA Today investigation found that the simultaneous surge in SUV sales and pedestrian deaths comes down to vehicle size, it also points to a lack of action on the part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), even though it knew of the dangers SUVs pose to pedestrians. Also blamed are automakers dragging their feet on implementing active safety features. Using federal accident data, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) determined that there was an 81 percent increase in single-vehicle pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs between 2009 and 2016. Freep/USA Today's analysis of the same data by counting vehicles that struck and killed pedestrians instead of the number of people killed showed a 69 percent increase in SUV involvement. As far back as 2001, researchers at Rowan University forecasted a rise in pedestrian deaths as Americans began switching to SUVs. "In the United States, passenger vehicles are shifting from a fleet populated primarily by cars to a fleet dominated by light trucks and vans," the researchers wrote, with light trucks comprising SUVs.

Jaguar's F-Sleigh replaces reindeer with jet power

'Tis the season for automakers to demonstrate how they would design Santa's famous (if fictitious) sleigh. The F-Sleigh concept is based on the F-Type convertible, but this one has skids instead of wheels, a pair of jet engines in place of the supercharged V8, the requisite red nose (embossed with the Growler emblem), and of course plenty of room for gifts. This is the second time we've seen a modern Jaguar design incorporating small turbines, and takes the idea of a 550-horse open sleigh to new heights. Jaguar rendered the design in an ice sculpture and is displaying it this holiday season at the London Edition hotel in the British capital. Joining the F-Sleigh on display are some of the more tempting items from the latest Jaguar and Land Rover merchandise collections, including a 1:8 scale model of a 1957 XKSS and a Defender pedal car. But it's the centerpiece that caught our attention, looking at least as cool as some of the designs we've seen from the likes of Ford, Honda, Lexus, Bentley, or even Jaguar Land Rover's previous concepts. Now if you'll excuse us, we have to rush down to the fireplace to replace the milk and cookies with a tanker full of jet fuel. Related Video: JAGUAR UNVEILS EXCLUSIVE CHRISTMAS 'F-SLEIGH' DESIGN TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF JAGUAR AND LAND ROVER 2016 MERCHANDISE COLLECTIONS - Jaguar unveils special Christmas-themed design study codenamed F-SLEIGH - Jaguar and Land Rover host exclusive launch of new 2016 branded collection in central London - Items from the new collections available to buy at Jaguar and Land Rover retailers and online stores: https://shop.jaguar.co.uk/ / https://shop.landrover.co.uk/ (The London Edition, London W1 - 14 December 2015): Jaguar and Land Rover showcased their latest collection of branded goods alongside licensed partners in central London today, to mark the launch of the brands' 2016 collections. A special ice-sculpture of a Christmas-inspired Jaguar design was exclusively revealed at the London Edition hotel to celebrate the merchandise and luxury goods launch. Codenamed 'F-SLEIGH', the Jaguar Christmas sleigh takes inspiration from the Jaguar F-TYPE convertible, but with skates in place of wheels, a generous open luggage compartment for gifts and jet power to generate Jaguar's renowned supercharged performance through the night sky. A Growler-embossed red nose completes the F-SLEIGH's Christmas theme.

Autoblog Minute: Frankfurt Motor Show recap

We check in with Autoblog staffers in Germany for a recap of the biggest reveals from the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. Autoblog's Adam Morath reports on this edition of Autoblog Minute with commentary from senior editor, Greg Migliore. Show full video transcript text [00:00:00] As the doors of the Frankfurt Motor Show open to the world's press we venture across the Atlantic for a front row seat to all the action. I'm Adam Morath and this is your Autoblog Minute. The fall auto show season kicks off this week and Germany is set to play host. We're expecting plenty of big vehicle reveals and industry news to come out of Frankfurt. [00:00:30] [Greg Migliore Interview] [00:01:00] Be sure to check in with Autoblog for tons of great photos, video and editorial coverage on all things Frankfurt. For Autoblog, I'm Adam Morath. Autoblog Minute is a short-form video news series reporting on all things automotive. Each segment offers a quick and clear picture of what's happening in the automotive industry from the perspective of Autoblog's expert editorial staff, auto executives, and industry professionals. Frankfurt Motor Show Bentley Jaguar Mercedes-Benz SUV Concept Cars Electric Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video