Lower-priced new cars are gaining popularity in U.S., and not just for cash-poor buyers

Nothing says economic decline like a a 56-year-old nurse who has to finance a new bottom priced car.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't buy any subcompact Japanese or US cars in the US anymore: Honda Fit, Chevy Volt, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift, etc. All gone.

These cars are not just economical but fantastic in terms of quality, fun driving experience and practicality. It seems the Japanese and America car industry is just waiting for the Chinese and Koreans to take over.

@JeffLee

Mitsubishi is the only company still selling subcompact cars in North America.

I agree, they are great cars, especially if one live in a city.

Even $15,000 is ridiculously expensive when you realise how much cheaper cars could be. I wonder how many struggling people would willingly buy a $3500 Tata Nano if it were street legal in the US.

As wages and living standards continue to decline and the divide between 1st and 3rd world begins to blur, how long until our current safety standards are viewed as a luxury that society can no longer afford, and people should not be forced to pay for?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't buy any subcompact Japanese or US cars in the US anymore: Honda Fit, Chevy Volt, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift, etc. All gone.

These cars are not just economical but fantastic in terms of quality, fun driving experience and practicality. It seems the Japanese and America car industry is just waiting for the Chinese and Koreans to take over.

Demand and profitability are what drive this phenomena in the US. Number one, pick up trucks and SUVs command higher prices and are more profitable to build than small hatchbacks and sedans. Auto makers prefer to sell these. In addition there just aren't a lot of Americans interested in owning a small sedan. There are perceptions of "cheapness", unsafe in collisions ( neither are true but perceptions are often more important than facts ) and Americans just like big stuff.

BMW doesn't sell a single car in the US with a manual transmission. The hallmarks of the 3 Series were light weight, agility, high rpm engine and a slick shifting manual trans. But the customer for that car is long gone. The people who find satisfaction in a smoothly executed double clutch down shift are few and fare between. People don't want to drive. They want to be driven. Full Self Driving :/ But I would be very happy to see cars made available that aren't larded up with "options" I don't want in my car, the electronic nonsense that detracts from driving.

We bought a very comfortable large car once, and although it drove like a dream, its large size made it hard to maneuver in parking lots. Since then, we go with smaller, although not small, cars. The smaller cars also cost less, and get better fuel economy, while not giving up comfort or safety.

I can understand why sedans are no longer popular. Their tiny trunk space is impractical. Hatchbacks and small wagons make much more sense. But, they were few and far between when we were still living in the US. And, they are practically extinct now, except perhaps for the VW Golf. Very sad.

After owning a couple of hatchbacks in Japan (a Mazda Axela that we loved, and a disappointing MB a-class), we too have succumbed to the SUV bug, albeit a compact model that is quite small by US standards. But, mid-size by J standards. No problem driving and parking, which I thought we might have.

Yes, of course, I believe everything such, especially when it is about American car buyers. Soon they will fall in love with children's tricycles as those are even still smaller and much cheaper, can also move forward and don't consume any gasoline, right? lol