Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Consumers increasingly shying away from small cars; owners unhappy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-consumers-increasingly-shying-away-from-small-cars-owne/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-consumers-increasingly-shying-away-from-small-cars-owne/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-consumers-increasingly-shying-away-from-small-cars-owne/#commentsFiled under:


2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Click above for high-res image gallery

When gas prices spiked above $4 per gallon in the summer of 2008, car buyers appeared to find their small car zen. Toyota Corollas, Honda Fits and Civics, Chevrolet Cobalts and Ford Focuses were flying off dealer shelves at a fevered pace, while truck buying dropped through the floor. Fast-forward to present day and car buyers are once again picking bigger vehicles while many of last year's "smart" small car buyers may be experiencing a bit of buyer's remorse.

A closer look at the current sales charts shows that Americans may not be too keen on small cars after all, as News Chief is reporting that America's compact car market has dropped 15% year over year. Even used small cars are taking a beating, as Kelley Blue Book reportedly told NC that small car residuals have dropped like a stone while larger vehicles are becoming increasingly valuable. In August 2008, truck prices dropped by 17% versus the same point in 2007, but from 2008 to 2009 overall truck sales jumped by 23%.

Perhaps the biggest issue here is that many of the customers who went small in 2008 are now unhappy with their more economical vehicles. George Peterson, president of AutoPacific told NC that a recent survey of 32,000 car buyers showed that customers aren't thrilled with their new small car, quoting customers as saying "'It does what I want, but it doesn't have what I want. It doesn't have the features, the power, the room, and next time I'll opt for a bigger car.'"

The survey showed that 30% of small vehicle buyers would like more power with their next new car or truck, 25% want more cargo room, and 25% want more technology. 18% of those surveyed would like more safety and 22% would like a softer ride. Only half of the subcompact buyers would opt for a compact vehicle with their next purchase, while 35% want a midsized sedan and 18% want a crossover or SUV.

While the Auto Pacific survey results shows that many car buyers are looking away from compacts with their next purchase, automakers are ramping up small car production. New products like the Ford Fiesta and the Chevrolet Cruze are coming Stateside over the next year or two, and if the apparent trend away from small cars continues, automakers will be fighting over a familiarly small group of perspective buyers. Unless, of course, gas prices once again spike into the stratosphere, in which case we're likely to repeat this process again.


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze


[Source: News Chief]

REPORT: Consumers increasingly shying away from small cars; owners unhappy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto pacificAutoPacificbuyers remorseBuyersRemorsecar buyingCarBuyingcompact carCompactCargas pricesGasPricesnews chiefNewsChiefsmall carsmall carsSmallCarSmallCarssubcompactTue, 06 Oct 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler's deal with Chery on hold]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/chryslers-deal-with-chery-on-hold/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/chryslers-deal-with-chery-on-hold/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/chryslers-deal-with-chery-on-hold/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It may be time to stop holding your breath. The planned deal between Chrysler LLC and the Chery Automobile Company to bring a Chrysler-badged Chery to our shores seems to be completely over... no, really this time. While there was nothing inherently wrong with the concept of importing the small fuel-efficient cars to North America (even if there were near insurmountable obstacles to overcome in the area of safety and emission standards), both companies have been crushed by the economy. According to a former Chery executive, "I wouldn't place much hope on it... both companies have their own problems to deal with, and both have run out of money." As neither company ever offered a public timetable for the arrival of the cars after the initial announcement early last year, the news is unlikely to come as a surprise.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Chrysler's deal with Chery on hold originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cherychery autochery automobileschery automotivechery automotive groupCheryAutoCheryAutomobilesCheryAutomotiveCheryAutomotiveGroupChinaChrysler LLCChryslerLlcCooperationDealSmall carsSmallCarsMon, 17 Nov 2008 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-chevrolet-cruze-meets-an-eager-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-chevrolet-cruze-meets-an-eager-europe/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/03/paris-2008-chevrolet-cruze-meets-an-eager-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Chevy Cruze LT

The Chevrolet Cruze is three kinds of car: small, American and important. And with the state of General Motors, it isn't even the individual words that mean the most: it's whether The General can combine them into a reliable, fuel efficient and cost effective package. True, we don't get to drive these things while they're parked under the lights, but to have a seat in the Cruze is to imagine a GM that begs the question, "Where was all this before the meltdown?" The studio imagery we've seen so far translates nicely into real life, and the center console looks and feels substantial - in fact, it looks like it could be foreign - even if the silver mesh treatment in the show car was a bit much. The car has a compact yet full-bodied stance, and will probably look even better on the road in a color other than scarlet, and not under klieg lights. Spring of '09 will welcome this first Cruze variant to Europe, after which other regions will get it, as well as a probable hatchback and wagon. It will be powered by a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder that charts up to 140 hp and is said to return 40 mpg. Have a look at the high-res gallery of live shots below to get a better idea of what to expect when the Cruze goes on sale here in a couple years.

Gallery: Paris 2008: Chevy Cruze LT LIVE


Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze

Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze meets an eager Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the Euro Ford Focus

For years, enthusiasts have been clamoring for Euro-only Blue Oval models to be sold in American dealerships. This dream is finally coming true, starting with the new Ford Fiesta and next-gen 2010 Ford Focus. Mark Fields has revealed that the European Focus and Foci built in North America will share 90% of their parts compared to just 20% today. Not only will this make for better cars, it also allows Ford to realize a double-digit profit improvement on each Focus compared to what it's earning today. This is certainly a positive development, as the automaker believes that the small car segment will nearly double in the next few years. We're inclined to agree unless Exxon discovers that the Earth's core is made of crude. The other part of Ford's plan is to make its North American plants flexible enough to respond quickly to the ever-changing U.S. market, which is something Toyota, Honda and other import automakers assembling vehicles in this country have already done with great effects.

Gallery: 2008 Euro Ford Focus


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford: We can make money on small cars!

Ford: We can make money on small cars! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ford focus2010FordFocusfordford fiestaford focusFordFiestaFordFocussmall carsmall carsSmallCarSmallCarsWed, 13 Aug 2008 16:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda considering offering JDM models in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/honda-considering-offering-jdm-models-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/honda-considering-offering-jdm-models-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/honda-considering-offering-jdm-models-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Much attention has been paid to Ford's decision to bring six Euro Fords over to the States, but the Blue Oval isn't the only automaker that has good looking, fuel efficient vehicles overseas. Honda has a variety of petrol-sipping vehicles in its Japanese home market, and is now studying whether those are worth selling here in the U.S. The Japan-to-U.S. formula has already worked well with the stylish, sporty and efficient Fit, sales of which are up 73% this year. While the Fit has been sold in the U.S. since 2006, it has also been available in almost identical trim in Japan since 2001.

So Honda is considering offering its JDM Odyssey and compact Stream wagon (above) for the U.S., which would give the brand some wagon-like choices in its lineup. For now Honda is trying not to deviate from its long-term plans, but if the gas-drag on the U.S. market persists, bringing JDM models to market here is a no-brainer if they don't require a ton of investment to meet U.S. emissions and safety standards. As you might expect, we're all for this plan. While they're at it, we'll take the JDM Civic Type-R, too.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Honda considering offering JDM models in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HondaHonda Japanese modelsHondaJapaneseModelsJDM modelsJdmModelssmall carsSmallCarsThu, 07 Aug 2008 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Nardelli: New fuel efficient model might be out next year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/01/nardelli-new-fuel-efficient-model-might-be-out-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/01/nardelli-new-fuel-efficient-model-might-be-out-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/01/nardelli-new-fuel-efficient-model-might-be-out-next-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Hornet concept

Besides the introduction of the Dodge Challenger, there has been very little good news coming out of Chrysler lately. Sales are down 22% for the year due to a lineup that's still heavy on trucks and SUVs, but there may be some help on the way as soon as 2009. Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli has hinted that a fuel efficient new vehicle(s) could debut next year, and platform sharing with other automakers would be behind the quick turn-around. Nardelli says the Auburn Hills-based automaker has re-prioritized its capital in an effort to quickly get to market the fuel-efficient vehicles that the market demands. Debuting even a single vehicle that's more fuel-efficient than anything else in the Chrysler lineup would likely have a big effect in light of the fact that its brands offer some of the least fuel-efficient lineups in the industry.

Nardelli didn't give any details as to which vehicle could arrive ahead of schedule, but speculation is that the Dodge Hornet is on the short list. The handsome Hornet (if it looks like the concept) will be based on the Nissan Versa small car platform, and was originally slated to arrive in Dodge guise in 2010. Chrysler is also rumored to be working on alliances with Tata, Fiat, and Chery, and each automaker has plenty of small, efficient vehicles at its disposal. None of those automakers has a presence in the U.S., though, so a quick turnaround on a platform that hasn't been properly crash tested doesn't seem likely.

Gallery: Dodge Hornet Concept


[Source: Detroit News]

Nardelli: New fuel efficient model might be out next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM currently owns about 13% of the small car market. With demand for small vehicles increasing with the price of black gold, GM is out to increase that market share. Nevertheless, even if it doesn't increase its share, it plans to make more money off of each small car sold. How? By raising the price, naturally.

The plan is simple: make better small cars, charge more for them. The upcoming Cruze could run you a few thousand more than the outgoing Cobalt, for instance. The test is to see whether cars like the Cruze will be worth the premium. GM Global Design Chief Ed Welburn said, "In North America, we never did a good small car." The General plans to bury that piece of its history... but it's going to charge you, the consumer, for the funeral.

The idea that GM can lasso the small car market while charging a premium, at the same time as slashes its marketing budget by $1.5 billion, takes some effort to swallow. One analyst said that demand for small cars will outstrip supply, so GM could get away with it. However, until we see proof of small GM cars that take bats to the established competition, we'll have to give this plan a "Hmmm."

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

GM's Plan: Small cars making a big profit originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevrolet cruzeChevroletCruzecruzeeconomy carsEconomyCarsgmprofitprofit marginsprofitabilityProfitMarginsprofitssmall carsSmallCarsstrategyMon, 21 Jul 2008 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Die, Die, Die! - Things that should be euthanized in 2007]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/die-die-die-things-that-should-be-euthanized-in-2007/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/die-die-die-things-that-should-be-euthanized-in-2007/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/21/die-die-die-things-that-should-be-euthanized-in-2007/#commentsFiled under: ,



(Ed. - The views expressed in this post are those of Dan Roth and not Autoblog in general. Dan asked if he could channel the grumpy old man inside of him, and for better or worse, we took off his leash.)

Our morning commute often gives us time to contemplate our navels, as the traffic engineers haven't spent enough time with TrafficSim around here. When the radio gets too boring, it's always interesting to analyze the vehicles around us. Here's some stuff we think is gangrenous, and some is just crap.

Toyota Camry Solara
Please go away. You're ugly. Yes, yes, you're a Camry, rah rah. You're ugly. Especially the convertible. Please just give us a two-door version of your only mildly less ugly Camry sedan sibling, if you must.

Big cars that were once small
The Civic was once a small car, now it's almost as big as Accords once were. The Nissan Versa and Dodge Caliber are similarly not-too-small cars being marketed on the pretense of being compact. The Fit is a step in the right direction, and we realize that all the required safety gear makes light cars largely a thing of the past, but the efficiency-lovers among us can't square the fact that these cars were once small and efficient, and now they're larger and less efficient.

Follow the jump for more items on the hit list.

Continue reading Die, Die, Die! - Things that should be euthanized in 2007

Die, Die, Die! - Things that should be euthanized in 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automatic transmissionsAutomaticTransmissionsbrakesCamry SolaraCamrySolaraDesigndrum brakesDrumBrakesElectronicsICENav SystemsNavSystemsobsoleterantssmall carsSmallCarsTechnologyThu, 21 Dec 2006 17:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Will the American market's new small cars resonate with young buyers?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/small-cars-may-not-sell-among-trendy-youths/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/small-cars-may-not-sell-among-trendy-youths/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/08/small-cars-may-not-sell-among-trendy-youths/#commentsFiled under: ,

Continued gas price hikes have intensified media coverage on subcompacts like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and upcoming Nissan Versa. Bloomberg's Doron Levin, though, questions if young Americans will truly embrace the 'Small is Beautiful' trend.

He points out that today's young people don't necessarily see 'inexpensive' and 'gets great gas mileage' as top priorities  for their vehicles. According to a study by automotive analysts, such buyers feel a sense of entitlement fostered by their parents. Levin's own daughter rejected a perfectly running Ford Taurus and rode with friends until given a Chevrolet Blazer.

Levin does address the lone exception, Scion. In fact, he writes that the Japanese automakers have the most experience in marketing small vehicles, and are the best equipped to persuade reluctant Americans of their validity. As the Toyota Echo showed, though, even they have had their share of flops.

What do you think of Levin's analysis? Have your say in 'Comments.'

Related: Toyota, Honda, Nissan's smallest prepped for battle; Chrysler, Ford, and GM missing the subcompact wave?

[Bloomberg via Financial Express]

Will the American market's new small cars resonate with young buyers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 May 2006 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compact carsFitsmall carsSmallCarsteensVersaYarisyouthMon, 08 May 2006 11:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Mazda to join compact car craze?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/27/mazda-to-join-compact-car-craze/http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/27/mazda-to-join-compact-car-craze/http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/27/mazda-to-join-compact-car-craze/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Jiji Press reported that Mazda president Hisakazu Imaki was quoted on saying that compact cars are necessary in the long term because of rising fuel prices. Thus there is increased speculation that the automaker, well-known for its sportier cars, could bring its compact vehicles such as the Mazda2 (pictured) to the U.S. market as early as 2007.

The Mazda3 is currently the smallest Mazda sold in the U.S.

With Toyota, Honda, and Nissan bringing their compact cars next year (see here) while gas prices have dropped, Mazda will probably take a wait-and-see approach.

Mazda to join compact car craze? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2005 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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