Why do they not make cars for just one person?

Question

I have noticed from my observation that about 90 percent of cars on the road carry only the driver and no passengers. It doesn't make sense for a single person to have no other choice whether they choose sedan or hatch or SUV to have space for 5 passengers and their luggage if they rarely require that amount of space.
The unused space for passengers adds hundreds of kilos of dead weight to a car and hundreds of dollars per year in fuel costs. I might give somebody a lift a couple of times in a year but all my friends have cars and some family members have access to 2 or 3 cars so of course I have little use for the extra seats for 4 passengers. Surely there must be a big enough market for a 1 person car with room for a couple of suitcases? I mean an actual fully enclosed car not a motorcycle or a trike, the weight saving advantage would be enormous, why do they not do that?

thebax2006 · Accepted Answer

Look at one of those Smart Cars. It seats 2 but if you're looking for small that's it.

? · Answer

they do. their called motorcycles.

Dan B · Answer

You haven't given much thought to a one-person car.  A smart car is 2 passengers.  Family members (kids) can't drive.  You might have little use for more than a 1 passenger car, but you are in the tiny minority.

regerugged · Answer

I would not buy one if I had to.  I drive a Nissan Pathfinder.  It is very versatile.  Even so, i am almost the only person to ride in it.

Anonymous · Answer

There are small cars called subcompacts.  They say it is for 4 people but really only seats 2 comfortably.  Try them.

Anonymous · Answer

It has been studied and tried in the past. The market is quite limited for it and many people simply don't feel safe in very small lightweight vehicles especially when surrounded by larger, heavier vehicles going high speeds.

However, there's currently a tandem vehicle on the market in the US that's essentially one persion plus a jumpseat / cargo area. Despite favorable interest interest and a lot of pre-orders, the company is having trouble meeting safety standards.  Check it out. https://www.eliomotors.com/

RICHARD · Answer

I wouldn't feel safe with such a small vehicle on a public roads.

Anonymous · Answer

They have, People Do not BUY them.
The nearest popular single person vehicle was the VESPA.
The Rambler company made a decent auto, called the Metropolitan. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdFDIXCG8w8

Anonymous · Answer

They already do, they call them motorcycles. What do you propose people do in the 50% of their time when they do wish to carry passengers, own two vehicles? The environmental impact would eat up any savings of one seater cars. They used to make single seater cars back in the 1960's but somehow they didn't catch on

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Why do they not make cars for just one person?

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