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

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Sometimes I forget the American market classifies the cars for their actual size, while elsewhere but Japan it's been quite usual for a "compact" sedan to outgrow what would've been considered almost a landyacht a few decades ago.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Even the Russians, after requesting the tooling from this model as a war reparation, stretched it and added another pair of doors...

[raubvogel]

Originally Posted by JSH

The HR-V is classified as a light truck as are about 70% of the vehicle sold in 2019. Actual truck sales (pick-up trucks with beds) are pretty flat over time with about 10% of the market. The big shift is people moving from cars to unibody CUVs based on car platforms.

Yes, the loopholes still apply. Classifications are in 49 CFR § 523.5

A vehicle is a light truck if it:

1. Can carry 10 or more passengers
2. Provided temporary living quarters
3. Can carry cargo in an open bed
4. Had 3 rows of seats that 2 fold down to carry cargo
5. Is designed for off-road operation.

I would argue most cars would fit that requirement

[raubvogel]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Sometimes I forget the American market classifies the cars for their actual size, while elsewhere but Japan it's been quite usual for a "compact" sedan to outgrow what would've been considered almost a landyacht a few decades ago.

I thought they were classified by the interior size, which is why when the ~2005 Hyundai Elantra was introduced it was classified as a larger car than the Camry even though the external dimensions were pretty similar.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Yet AFAIK the proper contender to the Camry within the Hyundai range was the Sonata.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

https://engineeringworkarounds.blogs...mpetitive.html

[freebeard]

Should we start calling you Kamikaze? I was counting the list of blogs you follow and lost count around 40.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by raubvogel

I thought they were classified by the interior size, which is why when the ~2005 Hyundai Elantra was introduced it was classified as a larger car than the Camry even though the external dimensions were pretty similar.

Correct. In the USA passenger cars are classified by interior volume

[freebeard]

Originally Posted by JSH via raubvogel

A vehicle is a light truck if it:
Can carry 10 or more passengers
Provided temporary living quarters
Can carry cargo in an open bed
Had 3 rows of seats that 2 fold down to carry cargo
Is designed for off-road operation.

Are those each necessary or sufficient?

[JSH]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Are those each necessary or sufficient?

If any one of those 5 criteria are met the vehicle is a light truck.