Small / economy car deathwatch: we've passed "peak econobox" again

[Xist]

Many current Cruze and Focus drivers are trading for Escapes and Equinoxes, but also Civics and Corollas.

Fewer Focus and Cruze drivers are trading in their vehicles for new Ford and Chevy models in 2019 compared to 2016.

Through October 2019, Honda reported Civic sales up 0.6 percent and Toyota reported Corolla sales down 0.3 percent.

The report also predicts that brand loyalty will likely decline even more in the future as more Ford and Chevy small-car owners search for replacements for their vehicle.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/am...-compact-cars/

I found a Jalopnik article, but I am going to post this before I lose it again.

[Xist]

“That does it, Chevy, you are dead to me”

[I]nstead of jumping on the SUV bandwagon, 42% of Cruze and Focus owners are choosing to stay in the passenger car segment. So far this year, 23% of Cruze owners and 31% of Focus owners who traded in their car for another car bought from a competitor.

[S]mall cars are gateway drugs for automakers, aimed at capturing younger, cost-conscious buyers early while hoping to keep them in the family as this hypothetical buyer grows older and accumulates more buying power and can afford a big truck or SUV.

Comments:

“Why offer cheaper cars when we can just offer longer loans for more expensive cars?”

-Ford/GM Execs, probably

If 50% of the the vehicles Ford and GM owners traded in for were compact crossovers, then I don’t think the issue is that the stopped selling the Focus and Cruze, it’s that they don’t have appealing compact crossovers.

The problem is that the Trax and Ecosport suck.

When I need to haul something, I rent a pick-up from Enterprise, like a sensible person. Trucks and other heavy vehicles are an absolute bore to drive.

https://jalopnik.com/ford-and-gms-de...ady-1839858417

[Bicycle Bob]

When Ford started cutting prices on the Model T, GM decided to compete with used cars, to make it easier to trade for a new one. So now, all the cheap cars are vastly oversize for our needs.

[redpoint5]

Here's me, bored in a truck.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

It does surprise me that Ford and Chevrolet are having a hard time trying to push some SUV as a replacement for regular cars in the U.S. where it seemed easier than in poorer markets where Chevrolet is already offering some Chinese subcompact sedans.

[The Other Andy]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

It does surprise me that Ford and Chevrolet are having a hard time trying to push some SUV as a replacement for regular cars in the U.S. where it seemed easier than in poorer markets where Chevrolet is already offering some Chinese subcompact sedans.

It does not surprise me. Ford is somewhat better than Chevy in this regard, but both have pretty dismal consumer perceptions in the SUV space in every size class up until the full-size body-on-frame models. Most people here wouldn't touch a Chevy Equinox with a ten foot pole; they go straight for the CR-V/Rav 4/Rogue.

Oddly, I didn't get that feeling with their smaller sedans. I think, in that class, price was more important to consumers.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by The Other Andy

Most people here wouldn't touch a Chevy Equinox with a ten foot pole; they go straight for the CR-V/Rav 4/Rogue.

At least in Brazil I'm seeing a larger amount of the Equinox than of the CR-V, even though the Rav4 is not an unusual sight. About the Rogue, it's not available here.

Oddly, I didn't get that feeling with their smaller sedans. I think, in that class, price was more important to consumers.

Compact sedans remain strong sellers in 3rd-world markets, even though in Brazil there is not so many models in this class as in neighboring countries such as Argentina.

[The Other Andy]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

At least in Brazil I'm seeing a larger amount of the Equinox than of the CR-V, even though the Rav4 is not an unusual sight. About the Rogue, it's not available here.

There are quite a few Equinox(es?) around, but dealers basically give them away. Nobody who can afford the premium for the import brands' compact suvs chooses to drive an Equinox.

It's a shame you don't get the Rogue. It's a very nice little suv. I had one as a rental in California. Peppy, and it was reading 40mpg on a ~40 mile freeway trip I took to kill some time.

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Compact sedans remain strong sellers in 3rd-world markets, even though in Brazil there is not so many models in this class as in neighboring countries such as Argentina.

Oh man, I love the variety of small cars that the 3rd world gets. Especially where safety standards are lacking, so there's a mix of new and mind-bogglingly old (Nissan Tsuru, anyone?)

[JSH]

Originally Posted by The Other Andy

It's a shame you don't get the Rogue. It's a very nice little suv. I had one as a rental in California. Peppy, and it was reading 40mpg on a ~40 mile freeway trip I took to kill some time.

The Rogue is called the X-Trail in South America but it isn't sold in Brazil.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by The Other Andy

Oh man, I love the variety of small cars that the 3rd world gets. Especially where safety standards are lacking, so there's a mix of new and mind-bogglingly old (Nissan Tsuru, anyone?)

Sometimes it's like a living museum. BTW last time I spotted a Nissan Tsuru near my neighborhood was 3 years ago, and it had Uruguayan plates, but due to emissions compliance it got a newer Renault engine instead of the same from older versions.