Automakers Blame Slumping Sales On Lack Of Amenities In Smaller Models

Automakers are working as fast as they can to meet a new consumer landscape: Buyers want not just fuel-efficient cars but also the same amenities they had in their hulking SUVs.

It's a change from how most cars have been set up in the USA. Smaller engines meant smaller sticker prices. Automakers put four-cylinder engines in their bare-bones models. If you wanted a moon roof, leather seats or a navigation system, you also got a bigger engine under the hood.

"A lot of it had to do with price points," says Eric Peterson, communications manager for Ford Motor's crossovers. Buyers who spent more wanted more power. "Now, there's more of a shift in consumer mind-set that we're reacting to. … Consumers are saying, 'I want fuel efficiency, and I want all these options as well.' "

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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 7/7/2008 11:24:03 AM

+4 Boost

It took them this long to understand that they should have had small engined fully loaded Vehicles available ?

You can get a Fully Loaded A3 with a 1.8TFSI producing damn near 200hp and it has much better interior quality than the 08 Escalade i rented in April.

I guess there is also the "It looks so small" reason for the slow pick-up of sales on Smaller Vehicles.

Weird how in the UK I feel Cool driving an RS4 Cab but in the USA Same car is considered A Chick Car.

EnnNorak - 7/7/2008 3:36:15 PM

+2 Boost

Automakers hire too few true car guys. Sometimes I think that cars are designed by people who don't drive. Many small cars are not available with leather which is a deal-breaker for me.

DexDiamonds - 7/7/2008 12:42:11 PM

0 Boost

Well then when you load up the car you have to load up the price and I highly doubt people want to pay premium for a slow car with alot of gadgets.

MadibaP - 7/8/2008 2:06:14 AM

+1 Boost

Who is wanting to see what is going to happen to the "gas" price? ITS GOING UP! THE END!

austintyson - 7/11/2008 9:23:25 PM

+1 Boost

You say 9 months ago we could all have prius'. So really what your saying is people 9 months ago were not even really looking at these cars. Now people are all upset because there are not enough small cars with what they want on them when a year ago they would not even think to look at these cars. Remember the makers are going to sell what people want. So everyone wants SUV's. Lets make them and sell them. No one wants a small car. Fine we wont make them. Everyone goes oh why didn't they see this coming. Well they probably did. But could you tell GM Ford or Toyota hey I know its 2003 right now but in 5 yrs gas is going to hit 4 bucks a gallon. I know I couldn't. And to come up with a build a brand new design takes a few years.. just doesn't happen overnight

Rupert - 7/7/2008 5:30:30 PM

+2 Boost

In Europe you can spec most small engined cars to the exact same level as bigger engined ones. An A8 3.0 can be specced to the exact same level as an A8 W12.

0to60 - 7/8/2008 12:24:50 AM

+1 Boost

Smaller cars with no options were primarily built for people who wanted something cheap or couldnt afford otherwise. Hence the lack of expensive options. If I had to choose between a loaded small hyundai for 20k or an Accord with some options for around the same price, I would go with the Accord. Now, because of gas prices, if the Kia returns in the 30's mpg... I might have to think twice about my choice.

MadibaP - 7/8/2008 2:11:09 AM

+1 Boost

I think its already past the time that all cars (special exceptions made for small runs) should be no more that 1200 kg and have a top end of no more than 130km/h and get no less than 6 liters per 100km at max!

We are in trouble here, its worse than we think and we have to cut down our oil consumption rapidly.

JudasLease - 7/10/2008 12:55:42 AM

+1 Boost

Sounds like their own fault.