However, the near future should bring runflat tire technology to the aftermarket.

Yes, there is always the uncertainty of some natural disaster overwhelming the US and precipitating a collapse. The eruption of the hypervolcano under Yellowstone could be such an event, or the collapse of the volcanic cone (forget it's [sic] name) in the Canary Islands sending a tsunami to devastate the east coast. However these are unpredictable and I don't consider such events as repetitions of some unalterable historical cycle of the rising and falling of civilisations.

But with exposed running boards and little skidplate protection under the body, serious off-roading can have expensive consequences.

HR people, or other executives, as fellow ‘LinkedIners’, you might use this article (or at least the headline title) if you need a “motivator” for their new people;[…].