How can manufacturers be persuaded to fit spare wheels to cars?

I heartily agree with your reply concerning the lack of spare wheels. I have a fantastic 2-year-old Astra 2.0 CTDI and insisted on a full matching road wheel as a spare (essential in my opinion, especially as I tow a caravan). However the well for the spare is not big enough for it so a big percentage of my load space is filled by a wheel. Daft. Any suggestion as to how to persuade manufacturers of this folly? My dealership did point out the fact that Vauxhall is seriously influenced by Europe and also the statistical likelihood of having a puncture is very low. It seems unlikely that this stupid undersight is going to be resolved any time soon.

Asked on 9 November 2013 by CW, Welwyn Garden City

Answered by Honest John
This is becoming universal. There is no space at all for a spare in some BMWs and some 7-seaters. But it’s brain-dead to install a spare wheel well in a car that isn't big enough to take a spare. Several other readers have complained of this in Astras.
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