Actually, NO ONE wants to drive in the ice and snow. Nothing can get grip on ice. FWD gives the illusion of better traction but only as long as you have exactly the right tires in perfect shape and one habitually drives like they are scared of their own car. RWDs have more leeway, but balding tires, and “summer only” help no one.

If you lose rear wheel traction in a FWD, you are boned. The only thing you can do is hit the brakes and if that does not do it, just hope you don’t die. RWD gives you more options for control, including using the gas to dig the snow (Again, with ice you are screwed.) It’s not invincible but then neither is AWD.

If you drive cautiously then you are fine. If you don’t or can’t you get what you deserve for you lack of skill.

Also do not discount Traction Control, Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), and Stability Programs (ESP – to be mandatory in 2010). They can make either FWD or RWD drive almost like a purpose made AWD car on al possible surfaces.Since these systems are fairly common options or standard equipment on cars over $18K, I don’t see why it would be a fault to shift over to RWD and in those states where ice and Snow are an issue just have them on the car upfront.

Why deny people a great driving machine because of the chance of Snow? If it snows that badly then don’t drive or buy a machine that gives you what you want as much as need. I don’t think every one is going to be happy driving FWD when they could have RWD and still get the safety they need.

The switch to FWD was a cost measure not because it was better. FWD is cheap and nothing else.If the car is small then it isn’t a problem but the larger the car the more of an issue it becomes. People got along just fine with RWD in the snow. Trucks and SUVs do just fine. Weight balance will always be an issue.

But RWDs always place a higher premium on balance than FWDs, being seen more as performance machines which works in their favor. FWDs being nose-heavy, they will always have a problem keeping rear traction, so go extra slow through that turn (no weight and no dig). Older RWD cars, like empty pick-up trucks, will have that problem. But newer RWD cars are balanced closer to 50/50, being seen as performance vehicles) so that ceases to be an issue. If it is do what any snow driver would. Put some weight in the trunk. (a sack of rocks, a spare tire, so gym weight plates(works best and takes up less trunk space), and so on)

FYI, I live in TEXAS. If it does not rain hard or long enough the roads can be “slimy”, with dust mud, oil, and what not, until dry. But FWD and RWD are both equally vulnerable.

Seriously, if you are going to make such a broad argument try not to be so narrow minded.

If you want an American RWD brand, go see Cadillac.

GM never should have killed their Zeta platform. I never saw so many people dying for GM to get back to being bad ass again.

F/econ be danged. Just push V6 powertrains more.