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What is "wrong" with these new subcompacts?

9847 messages,  Last post on Jun 15, 2013 at 5:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, smart fortwo, MINI Cooper

Messages Page 795 of 986

#7935 of 9847 so did I post numbers recently? :-) by nippononly

Aug 12, 2008 (12:52 pm)

'Cause they are pretty DARN good!
 
From Automotive News, for 2008 sales through June 30:
 
Fit: up 67% from 2007
Accent: up 48.9%
Rio: up 29.1%
Yaris: up 39%
Mini Cooper: up 33.6%
 
And if you're counting Versa (debatable for inclusion in this category, IMO), it is up 20.7%.
 
And for those of you tracking the ForTwo, they sold 11,399 of them by midyear, and that wasn't a full six months of sales by any means.
 
The only one that wasn't up in a big way (about flat instead) was the Aveo, which I think was partly because a lot of the Aveos were going to fleets last year, and GM is still cutting back on its rental fleet sales.
 
http://www.autonews.com/assets/PDF/CA5240487.PDF

#7936 of 9847 Re: so did I post numbers recently? :-) [nippononly] by andre1969

Aug 12, 2008 (12:55 pm)

Replying to: nippononly (Aug 12, 2008 12:52 pm)
The only one that wasn't up in a big way (about flat instead) was the Aveo, which I think was partly because a lot of the Aveos were going to fleets last year, and GM is still cutting back on its rental fleet sales.
 
Well, there was the xA, down a whopping 99.6%.
 
Considering how bad off the economy supposedly is, I'm surprised that total car sales are staying as strong as they are. The grand total comes out to 3.989M, down from 4.059M. That's only a 1.7% drop. Now a lot of that is redistribution, as sales of smaller cars are increasing while bigger and more premium categories are dropping.
 
Still, it looks like people are buying. I guess truck sales might tell a different story, though.

#7937 of 9847 Re: so did I post numbers recently? :-) [andre1969] by nippononly

Aug 12, 2008 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Aug 12, 2008 12:55 pm)
You DO know the xA was discontinued in 2006, right?!

#7938 of 9847 Re: so did I post numbers recently? :-) [andre1969] by thegraduate

Aug 12, 2008 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Aug 12, 2008 12:55 pm)
I think we might have to limit the sales discussion to those cars still FOR SALE this year.

#7939 of 9847 xA by ateixeira

Aug 13, 2008 (6:52 am)

Well, the xA got a lot bigger, especially the standard engine. So it went in the wrong direction, or at least the opposite direction compared to where consumers were heading.
 
Bad timing.

#7940 of 9847 Re: xA [ateixeira] by nippononly

Aug 13, 2008 (7:56 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 13, 2008 6:52 am)
Yes, it now uses the same engine as the new Corolla and Matrix, and is about the same size and mileage as the Matrix.
 
It is significant to note that while Toyota dealers can't keep Corollas in stock, Matrixes are piling up in unprecedented numbers. While Matrix has a lot more utiltity than the Corolla sedan, it also consumes at least 20% more gas, making it less popular in times of $4 gas. The same applies to the xD (replacement for the xA).

#7941 of 9847 Re: xA [nippononly] by ateixeira

Aug 13, 2008 (8:02 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Aug 13, 2008 7:56 am)
That's too bad.
 
In Brazil they actually sell a Corolla Fielder, which is a Corolla wagon. An no it looks nothing at all like a Matrix.
 
I'd pick that for the extra space, better visibility, plus better mileage to boot.
 

 
My brother is shopping for a Hyundai Tucson and I suggested one of those as an alternative. Both are FWD and the Fielder actually costs less in Brazil.

#7942 of 9847 Re: xA [ateixeira] by nippononly

Aug 13, 2008 (8:06 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 13, 2008 8:02 am)
It would be SO cool if Toyota offered a proper Corolla wagon in the U.S. again! They are too hung up on the popularity of SUVs and crossvers. I guess we are lucky we even get the Matrix.

#7943 of 9847 Re: xA [nippononly] by ateixeira

Aug 13, 2008 (10:38 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Aug 13, 2008 8:06 am)
Look at the window between the C and D pillars. Now that's a true wagon.
 
The one in the Matrix has almost vanished. Visibility isn't nearly as good, and keeps getting worse.
 
Toyota dealers will gladly sell you an extra-cost backup cam, I'm sure.

#7944 of 9847 Re: xA [ateixeira] by andre1969

Aug 13, 2008 (10:58 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 13, 2008 10:38 am)
I bed that rear side window is still about half as big as it looks from the outside, thanks to the flush-mounted glass. But yeah, it's still got much better visibility than the Matrix would have. I remember the first time I got behind the wheel of a Dodge Magnum wagon...as little as those windows look from the outside, they're positively slit-like from the inside looking out!

Messages Page 795 of 986

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