My cars must have chrome bumpers

[priderocks]

This is something I can't figure out. All cars, domestic and foreign, have the "bumpers" that are one-piece wrap around plastic jobbers that are painted body colors. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned chrome? Is there some governmental restriction that precludes manufacturers from using chrome bumpers? Is it crash-test repair criteria? Cost? Trucks (some) still use them. What gives? I guess that's part of what makes every car look the same to me.

[71chally416]

Very simple really. With the front "Fascias" when you have a minor 5 mph bump, now you have to pay $853.90 for the plastic part on your Honda that's half the front end of the vehicle. 

[Topcat]

It all goes back to 1971.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued its first regulation
for the bumpers of passenger cars in 1971.

http://www.insurorsservicebureau.com/ISB%20technical/Bumpers_07.pdf

[426HEMI]

Very simple really. With the front "Fascias" when you have a minor 5 mph bump, now you have to pay $853.90 for the plastic part on your Honda that's half the front end of the vehicle. 

You got that right.  They were trying to keep the cost down and hide some minor wrecks and not have to pay out as much.