An obnoxious anti-SUV group disguised as climate change activists has resorted to agenda-driven vandalism, explaining the move as a push for a good cause. Arrogantly identifying as the Tyre Extinguishers, the unscrupulous group sets out to “make it impossible to own a huge polluting 4×4 in the world’s urban areas.” And it has claimed responsibility for the illegal deflation of tens of thousands of SUV tires across many countries.
Like most other inventions, the SUV has seen polarizing opinions, with one group considering it an automotive star and the other merely a climate disaster. Being on the fence or either side of the see-saw is fine, but drifting to the extreme and resorting to illegal, malicious actions crosses the distinct line between activism and terrorism.
SUVs Do Not Exist Purely for the Vanity of Their Owners
There is a reason SUVs are outselling sedans and other vehicle types, and it is nothing related to ostentation. Offering a generous cargo space, roomy interior, commendable towing capacity, offroad capabilities, and excellent performance, the SUV perfectly integrates a truck, van, and sedan into one frame. But the Tyre Extinguishers do not believe that anyone genuinely needs the perks in urban areas, and they have no better way to communicate this sentiment than by illegally deflating tires.
Unfortunately for the Tyre Extinguishers, flat tires have been a long-standing challenge for vehicle owners, and no reports establish a link between tire deflation and a decrease in vehicle purchases. Actually, the public disapproves of disruptive climate change protests, and it could make more people turn their back on a good cause. In the Tyre Extinguishers’ line of thought, the 43 people whose tires were recently deflated in Boston are considering ditching their “gas guzzlers” at the junkyard if they’ve not already done that. Also, they have sworn never to own an SUV again. Perhaps, that explains why there are fewer SUVs on the road than there used to be (not true). It makes one wonder if the group has done any self-evaluation since inception to know if it is smashing goals alongside tires.
Fueled By Distorted Pieces of Information
Some of the Tyre Extinguishers’ claims are true but mostly cherry-picked and do not justify going rogue.
One such claim is that “SUVs are much more likely to kill compared to normal cars when striking pedestrians.” While that is correct, the group failed to point out that pedestrian crashes most frequently involved cars. To clarify, even though there are more SUVs on the road than cars (judging by the number of global SUV and car sales), the latter hit people (and, as a result, cause injuries) more often than SUVs. Presumably, that is partly a credit to the SUV’s ride height which gives the driver more visibility to spot pedestrians and potential hazards further ahead, giving them more time to react. Also, while the imposing size of an SUV makes it likely to have more front blind zone, it suggests that pedestrians are likely to spot an approaching SUV faster than an approaching car.
What about the speed? Most sedans are generally faster than SUVs, requiring less reaction time from drivers and pedestrians in a prospective accident. If the question is safety, the answer can never be deflating tires. Because if not noticed early, a deflated tire could lead to a loss of control, reduced traction, or uneven weight distribution, ultimately causing an accident.
The sinister group also asserted that “SUVs are unnecessary” and “they exist purely for the vanity of their owners, who see them as a status symbol.” This assertion suggests that the group derives a considerable part of its drive from contempt for the privileged. Also, it makes one wonder how much of a status symbol the Toyota RAV4, one of the world’s best-selling SUVs, is compared to the Bugatti La Voiture Noire. Or the Honda CR-V compared to the Mercedes S550. Not to mention that the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is just as much a status symbol as any Lamborghini.
No, the SUV is not existing so that “a privileged FEW can flaunt their wealth.” That would be supercars since the SUV is the most used vehicle today.
In another blunder, the group erroneously stated that “everyone hates them (SUVs), apart from the people who drive them.” Wrong! If there’s anything to take from the exponential increase in SUV sales, many people love them, and more people (who may not have one) are purchasing them.
Stating the obvious, the Tyre Extinguishers reiterated that “because SUVs are bigger and heavier than other cars, they are more polluting and use more fuel.” As a result of the same reason, airplanes produce more carbon emissions than SUVs. So, let us storm the airport and sabotage some wings because we care about the environment. Or let’s hit the assembly lines to create a “minor inconvenience” since industries emit tons of air pollutants. Would that be termed activism or vandalism?
The Tyre Extinguishers seem to have the answer, so they like to remain anonymous, covering their faces with masks and mostly releasing media concealing any means to identify the perpetrators. (Like some of the pictures you’ve seen here.) Or since when did activism become a game of cowards? Slashing tires can only increase the demand for replacement, necessitating more production and causing extra pollution. This makes the Tyre Extinguishers about as disastrous to society as they believe the SUV is to the environment.
Have Constructive Ways Failed?
The Tyre Extinguishers’ answer is yes, but the true answer is no. In the pestering group’s words, “politely asking and protesting for these things has failed. It’s time for action.” Generally, in cooperation with several governments, the automotive world is accelerating the transition from combustible engines to electric vehicles. The switch is happening because many respectable institutions and individuals opted for constructive ways to advocate for change. If everyone had resorted to deflating tires, automotive manufacturers would probably have prioritized indestructible tires as the next solution, not electric vehicles.
For example, Jeep’s plan to lead the global SUV electrification is underway, and one of the most popular SUV manufacturers, Jaguar Land Rover, is making efforts to become all-electric by 2025. If you need anyone to confirm, the move is not because Jeep and Jaguar Land Rover recorded too many cases of deflated tires.
Instead, governments worldwide constitute a significant part of the driving force, with some banning and others signing executive orders to reduce the sale of new gas vehicles in the nearest future. It is essential to mention that the malicious activities of a cowardly group of vandals did not influence the policies.
Almost all SUV manufacturers and governments support the automobile electrification goal, and both parties are taking the initial steps required for the switch. But the Tyre Extinguishers brainwashes its faithful by insisting that “because governments and politicians have failed to protect us from this danger, we must protect ourselves.” Joe Biden’s administration, for example, would feel attacked by this claim after providing a new EV tax credit provision to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles and reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
The journey will take a couple of years, but the automotive world is driving in the right direction toward global SUV electrification, and as it stands, deflating SUV tires can only cause a delay.
Final Words
Advocacy for a good cause does not involve illegal activities or actions that cause harm to others or their property. More individuals need to call out the Tyre Extinguishers to save posterity from defining activism as an agenda-driven movement that maximizes the despicable art of prevarication while relying on vandalism and nuisance constitution to create a problem that is already half solved.
Gabriel Olakunori
Gabriel likes to argue (blindly) that SUVs are a part of nature, but he seems to have a point whenever you walk in the snow, through the bone-dry desert, splendid park-like boulevard, plains, and rocky roads. He has over five years of experience writing across a broad spectrum of topics, with quite a number in the automotive industry. If he is not at the desk w̶r̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun, he is at the wheel d̶r̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun. Both activities take him to the same destination: Utopia. He loves SUVs simply because they are all-inclusive, but he cannot turn down an offer to drive or write about any vehicle.
