For
years, AAA has used vehicles such as the Chevrolet Cavalier to represent small cars, the Ford Taurus for mid-sized
sedans, and so on. But with those vehicles discontinued by their automakers, the well-know auto service company has
changed its segment standards. Said Mike Collins, one of the repair managers who assisted AAA in their new
classifications, “So we decided to use the top sellers in each size as more representative of consumer buying
habits and to include some imports for a broader and more accurate sampling.”
The Cavalier spot has
been taken by its replacement, the Chevy Cobalt, and other similar vehicles like the Honda Civic. The Ford Fusion, one
of the Taurus’ replacements (the other is the Five Hundred, classified as a large or full-sized sedan) has taken its
former spot and is joined by the Chevrolet Impala; Toyota Camry; and others.
Other new segment standards,
such as for SUVs and minivans, can be found at the link. What is interesting is that cost of ownership, from gas
prices, finance charges, and other costs, have actually dropped from 2005 to 2006.
[Source: AAA via Chicago
Tribune]