All Cars, All the Time

What's with all the vents?

Lately it seems that everyone has been adding vents to the sides of the cars. Look at the LR3, Dodge Nitro, 2007 Cadillac Escalade, Jaguar XK, etc. Obviously, it has been decided that this new styling queue is that latest way to stand out (but from what if everybody else is doing it?). Is this the modern interpretation of the port hole? I guess I'm not swayed one way or the other, but it'll be a hassle come wash time: fibers from the wash mitt will get stuck in there, dirt will be hard to get our the small slits, and inevitably some of those panes are going to break off at some point--not to mention the plastic aging and discoloring. Okay, so I guess I do have an opinion. I don't like it. This extra tack on piece certainly must add some small price to the car, why not spend that money on the interior or longer lasting paint for the bumpers.