A Brilliant Example of Malicious Compliance in Automotive History
The concept of ‘malicious compliance’ – deliberately following a rule or law in a way that defeats its purpose – often brings a smile to our faces. A recent example involves Volkswagen’s recall of the ID.Buzz due to an issue with the third-row seating.
The discussion in the comments section highlighted the absurdity of the situation. Pat Rich commented, ‘That is the dumbest car-related thing I’ve heard in a while.’ The situation is further complicated by the fact that in some states, it is legal to have more passengers than seatbelts if all other seatbelts are occupied.
This recall exemplifies how regulations can sometimes be out of touch with reality. As Ranwhenparked pointed out, ‘Have any of these bureaucrats at NHTSA ever been to a Cracker Barrel after church on Sunday?’ The Pigeon suggested that the federal regulations might be outdated, dating back to the 1970s when Americans were generally less…ample.
The creativity of readers in responding to this recall demonstrates the humorous side of automotive regulations and the sometimes absurd world of car manufacturing compliance.
While this particular issue may seem trivial, it sparks an interesting conversation about the balance between regulatory compliance and practicality in the automotive industry.
