Subcompact Sales Boom In 2007

Over the past year, as U.S. gas prices rose to record highs, sales of fuel-efficient small cars did not benefit as much as industry experts had anticipated, increasing 0.4 percent to 2.24 million in the first 11 months of the year.

But a breakdown of the small car market reveals that subcompacts, the smallest models on the market, such as the Chevrolet Aveo and Kia Spectra, surged partly at the expense of compact cars.

Through November, subcompacts were the fastest-growing segment in the U.S. car market, with sales up 21.8 percent to 322,699 vehicles. By contrast, sales of slightly larger compacts slipped 3.3 percent to 1.64 million, according to Autodata Corp.

That shift is not good news for Detroit's automakers. . Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC are not yet present in this Asian-dominated segment.


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AgentOrange - 12/10/2007 11:59:27 AM

+1 Boost

Wow, with gas prices at record highs, who coulda predicted this?

EL34 - 12/10/2007 1:10:01 PM

-1 Boost

Gas prices were higher based on wages back when Liberal President Carter was in.

He was a peanut farmer and didn't know anything about the economy or war.

People bought economy cars like they're doing now, but I think the V8's will keep coming out.

mini22 - 12/10/2007 4:04:16 PM

+2 Boost

2 other points.Economy cars are a lot more luxurios then they were back in the 70's and are therefore more attractive.Also there is a lot more media awareness now and that affects peoples buying habits.

pacotacolol - 12/10/2007 5:45:09 PM

+2 Boost

big pay at the pumps... we go for small cars. its our nature

S4cabriofoxone - 12/10/2007 6:07:25 PM

+1 Boost

"Over the past year, as U.S. gas prices rose to record highs, sales of fuel-efficient small cars did not benefit as much as industry experts had anticipated, increasing 0.4 percent to 2.24 million in the first 11 months of the year."

I think this is impressive when compared to the SUVs and gas-guzzling cars going down.