Are Americans willing to buy small cars?

Question

I've noticed the increase in smaller-European style cars in the U.S., and I was wondering if Americans are accepting of them. I personally would prefer a smaller car because of the superb gas mileage and parking abilities. With a small car, I can fit into parking spaces that typical trucks, suvs, vans, and certain sedans can't fit into. I own two cars, a Volvo C30 (my wife's) & a Mazda3 (mine). I have two kids and as a family, we fit perfectly fine in the Mazda 3. I always hear people saying how much they need a Van or SUV because of their kids. You could easily fit 4 people comfortably in a Mazda3, and STILL fit all you need for everyday activities in the trunk. Anyways, I don't know what the big hang up is about small cars. In the near future, I'm considering buying a Mazda2 and giving my daughter my 2003 Mazda3. If Europe, South America, Asia, & Australia can do it, why can't we?

Answer 1

There is a law here in the United States, and the law says you can't over stuff the car. For example if the car only has 4 seat belts, only 4 people are supposed to be in the car. It doesn't matter if you can fit 6 people in the car, it's illegal and you can get a big fine. With that being said, since Americans like big families(and most American families are big families) they need something bigger like a 7 passenger SUV or a mini-van. Also, since the economy is better here, people don't care so much about gas mileage. Parking is not a problem here, so people don't care about that either. Also a big car is safer. Another problem is, Americans are bigger than Europeans(size wise, they are taller,more fat etc.) so they need more space. Most places in America have bad weather(like lots of snow) so people buy a big car because it will handle better on bad weather conditions. Americans also like to go on dirt roads(some consider it a hobby), mudding (another hobby) and camping. For all of these activities, a SUV, minivan or truck would be better because it will handle better. There are just lots of reasons, some of them I can't think of right now.



As for your real question, no Americans are not willing to buy small cars. Sub-compacts(the car types you're talking about) do exist in America, and there are some really nice ones like Ford Fiesta but people are not willing to buy them. It's too small for Americans. They sell, you can see them, but it's rare to see a sub-compact car here. However there are lots of compact cars like Honda Civic,Toyota Corolla,Ford Focus etc. However most of the vehicles on the road are SUVs,trucks and mini-vans. This makes it very risky for someone to buy a sub-compact car, because if you get hit by the big Ford F-150(#1 top selling vehicle in America for 35 years running), you would be lucky if you get out alive. It's just a big risk. Like I said though, Americans like their comfort. Also Americans like cars with big engines, because big engine=better performance. Not too many people care about fuel economy. For example the biggest Ford Focus engine in Europe is 100 horsepower, biggest Ford Focus engine in America is 140 horsepower.



I've never heard anyone buy a smaller car in United States because it's easier to park it. Most people who care about gas mileage are young people(high school students, college students, just out of college, newly married) and people who can't afford a big car(poor class). Middle-class and upper class people generally don't care about gas mileage. Generally, not always. There are lots of middle-class people who care about fuel economy and they buy cars like Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Prius, but most don't. I'm a college student and even people my age have big cars. Most of the cars are sedans but I still see lots of trucks and SUVs. Americans just love big cars.

Answer 2

In Europe gas prices are ridiculous, like $8 USD per American gallon. They have to drive small cars. Americans on the other hand like to drive bigger cars. The bigger the car the more money it looks like you have. I would personally buy a compact car such as the new Ford Fiesta or Chevy Cruze because I care about the environment, but many Americans are willing to sacrifice fuel economy for size. Basically, if they can afford it, they'll buy it. A lot of people also buy large SUVs not just for family needs, but many families have more than two kids, and a lot of families have cargo. What if you need to take let's say your snow blower to the shop for repairs. It sure won't fit in a little Mazda3 safely. My family has a Dodge Grand Caravan and out lawn mower barely fits in the back even with both rows of seats folded down. And when we take road trips we need the extra space for luggage. Trust me, Nebraska to New York in a Mazda3 with four people plus two weeks of luggage would not be fun. (We had to drive to avoid the cost of car rentals. we usually fly but this time we were going to Cape Cod with cousins from New York and we didn't want to borrow my grandparents' car for a week.) Many families also have boats to haul if they enjoy boating on lakes. A large number of families have camper trailers that are simply too heavy for a compact car to pull. My dad actually used to have a little Mitsubishi Lancer but my sister and I found it too cramped especially in the back seat. There was only like five inches of leg room when the front seats were all the way back, which was necessary a lot of the time. We upgraded to a Mitsubishi Endeavor, a midsized crossover with five seats. The only downside is an EPA rating of 19 mpg hwy or something like that. For many families, SUVs and minivans are necessities. Just because your family can function with little compact and subcompact cars for daily use doesn't mean everyone else can. There are definitely some that can but don't choose to, but the fact isthat many Americans need large cars. And most people don't want to go through the hassle of renting an SUV every time they need one.

Answer 3

Its pretty obvious that we don't want them. The only time they sold many was when gas prices were over $4/gallon. As soon as the prices dropped people stopped buying the little cars and were trying to sell the ones they had. I don't want the government to tell me what kind of car I can drive. If you want a small car then buy one. Its a free country and you are free to choose what you want just like the rest of us.



Europe and Asia have very old cities which were not designed for cars in the 1st place. The roads are small, crowded, and winding. Small cars fit those cities better. They also both heavily tax based on engine displacement to force people into smaller cars. People with money in both places do buy larger more powerful cars.



The US and Australia both have newer cities with wider roads and lots of wide open spaces. Neither tax based on engine size and we both prefer larger more powerful cars.



I really don't know about South America. Its poor in many places so its likely most of them cant afford bigger cars. Once again the people with money do buy bigger more powerful cars.

Answer 4

For me, it's about economics. I walk to work, and my wife's a stay at home mom, and most of the miles we put on are highway, for discretionary travel, maybe 16K a year.



When I saw a good deal on a used '03 gas guzzling Durango SUV with only 42K miles, it made sense for me to buy it. I know it gets half the mileage of a smaller car, but I'm doing my part to keep down greenhouse gases by reducing manufacturing all those new cars.



The safety, comfort, and usability of the Durango help make up for its lack of economy. I projected my costs for the next 5 years, and I'm way ahead not buying a small car.



We also use the size hauling stuff. The 4 wheel drive has come in handy when roads are icy as they get that way in Minnesota, too.



I have driven small cars, VW, Horizon, and the flimsiness of their design ends up costing, too. I know I won't need to replace door handles, etc. with my Dodge Durango!



I buy only used cars, and the smaller ones seem more expensive, too, as far as purchase price.

Answer 5

Because other countries aren't as big as the United States, and in the UK for instance where fuel is more expensive (even with a more efficient car), a car that's more nimble through the twisty bits of road is more important than having a big heavier cruiser is in the States. Also Public Transport is crap....... over priced, not always efficiently run, doesn't always run on time, doesn't take you to the exact spot you need to get to, no personal space with all the other people using them (not all of them model citizens), never timed conveniently..... either gets you there 30-60minutes too early, or 30-60mins+ too late. Two wheeled transport has sod-all room to carry things around, and not as safe as their 4-wheeled counterparts.

Answer 6

Well we drive a Lexus SUV, and honestly, where I live all the cars are bigger. And on the hiway? I would be afraid of an 18-wheeler running over me. But, if an 18-wheeler hit any car you'd probably be dead.

Answer 7

because cars are considered reflections of their owners, and america is all about being big and bad. its like how owning a small dog like a chihuahua is seen as only for women and sissies, so a lot prefer larger dogs. america loves their macho muscle cars and macho pit bulls. suv is same thing. americans care more about looking big and tough than about practicality.