President Trump suggested manufacturing small cars in the US to lower prices, but experts say low demand, consumer preferences for larger vehicles, and safety standards make this unlikely. Americans prefer SUVs and trucks, leading to a decline in small car sales, and automakers are unlikely to invest in reengineering kei cars for US standards without significant demand.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is now the only new car available in the United States with an average sale price under $20,000, as Americans increasingly prefer SUVs and trucks over small cars. The Mirage, which costs less than half the average price of a new vehicle, remains affordable for budget-conscious buyers. However, the scarcity of small cars at dealerships has driven up the average price of new vehicles to over $48,000. The Mirage's future is uncertain, as Mitsubishi is reportedly planning to stop selling it by mid-decade. As prices continue to rise, buyers are turning to certified pre-owned small cars as a more affordable option.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is now the only new car available in the United States with an average sale price under $20,000, as Americans increasingly prefer SUVs and trucks over small cars. The Mirage, which costs less than half the average price of a new vehicle, remains affordable for budget-conscious buyers. However, the scarcity of small cars at dealerships has driven up the average price of new vehicles to over $48,000. The Mirage's future is uncertain, as Mitsubishi is reportedly planning to stop selling it by mid-decade. As prices continue to rise, buyers are turning to certified pre-owned small cars as a more affordable option.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is now the only new car available in the United States with an average sale price under $20,000, as Americans increasingly prefer SUVs and trucks over small cars. The Mirage, which costs less than half the average price of a new vehicle, remains affordable for budget-conscious buyers. However, the scarcity of small cars at dealerships has driven up the average price of new vehicles to over $48,000. The Mirage's future is uncertain, as Mitsubishi is reportedly planning to stop selling it by mid-decade. As prices continue to rise, buyers are turning to certified pre-owned small cars as a more affordable option.
The Mitsubishi Mirage is now the only new car in the United States with an average sale price under $20,000, as Americans increasingly opt for SUVs and trucks over small cars. The Mirage, which costs less than half the average price of a new vehicle, is facing dwindling sales and potential discontinuation. The scarcity of small cars at dealerships, coupled with a pandemic-related chip shortage and the rising prices of new and used cars, has made it difficult for price-conscious buyers to find affordable options. While some other cars and SUVs have average prices slightly above $20,000, the days of the sub-$20,000 new car may be gone for good.
Small cars like the Forte, Sentra, and Crosstrek received "poor" ratings in the updated moderate overlap crash test conducted by the IIHS due to poor rear occupant crash protection. The rear dummy submarined beneath the seat belt, causing the lap belt to slide from the hip bones onto the abdomen, where it can cause internal injuries. Engineers may want to improve rear occupant safety before things get worse.