Detroit first inflicted space saver tires on us in the 1980s (maybe even late 1970s). They said it was to make more space in the trunk. That's dodo - the damn space saver tires were cheaper, plain and simple, so the companies made more profit. But, we Americans were stupid enough to put up with them without a whimper or complaint. Obviously, just about every other car company followed suit. I can imagine the executives in session, "Sure, put a space saver in the cars we ship to USA, the Americans won't complain. Most of them are too ignorant to even know what kind of spare is in their car, if they even know where to find the thing." We got what we deserved....