Demand for fuel-efficient vehicles drops as gas prices fall. A recent study by Consumer Search Index clearly showed this trend. Since gas prices have somewhat stabilized over the last few weeks (or months), hybrids and other low-consumption vehicles are becoming less popular, with buyers opting for SUVs and crossovers. Does this mean that consumers only purchase "green" vehicles when the price of gasoline skyrockets? It sure looks like it. And what about automakers that produce ever larger and thirstier vehicles?
Cars keep getting bigger and bigger...
Upon further review, consumers are clearly looking for more versatile vehicles. They also want more room, towing capacity and fuel economy. So how do manufacturers respond? Simply put, by offering bigger vehicles! I challenge you to find a single car that became smaller while being updated or redesigned; if you find one, please e-mail me.
I certainly don't want to blast Japanese automakers, but to prove my point, I compared a Toyota Camry from the early '90s to the all-new 2007 model. I'm telling you, it was like putting a compact next to a midsize sedan. More precisely, the original Camry was 446-cm long, while the new one stands over 480-cm long. That's more than one foot longer! Moreover, the latest Corolla is 7-cm longer than the first-generation Camry. How about that?!
Meanwhile, the Honda Civic didn't get smaller either. I was shocked to find out that the second-generation Accord (1985-89) -- yes, the Accord! -- measured 443.9 cm in length, just 3.9 cm longer than a 2007 Civic. To give you an idea, 3.9 cm is barely the diameter of my wristwatch.
Now, let's compare weights. The original Civic stood at 680 kg (about 1,500 lbs). Thirty years later, Honda's compact is nearly twice heavier. Indeed, it weighs in at 1,178 kg, or 2,600 lbs if you prefer.
Cars keep getting bigger and bigger...
Upon further review, consumers are clearly looking for more versatile vehicles. They also want more room, towing capacity and fuel economy. So how do manufacturers respond? Simply put, by offering bigger vehicles! I challenge you to find a single car that became smaller while being updated or redesigned; if you find one, please e-mail me.
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| The 2007 Toyota Camry versus the 1991 model. |
I certainly don't want to blast Japanese automakers, but to prove my point, I compared a Toyota Camry from the early '90s to the all-new 2007 model. I'm telling you, it was like putting a compact next to a midsize sedan. More precisely, the original Camry was 446-cm long, while the new one stands over 480-cm long. That's more than one foot longer! Moreover, the latest Corolla is 7-cm longer than the first-generation Camry. How about that?!
Meanwhile, the Honda Civic didn't get smaller either. I was shocked to find out that the second-generation Accord (1985-89) -- yes, the Accord! -- measured 443.9 cm in length, just 3.9 cm longer than a 2007 Civic. To give you an idea, 3.9 cm is barely the diameter of my wristwatch.
Now, let's compare weights. The original Civic stood at 680 kg (about 1,500 lbs). Thirty years later, Honda's compact is nearly twice heavier. Indeed, it weighs in at 1,178 kg, or 2,600 lbs if you prefer.
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| Above, a 2007 Honda Civic. Below, a 1988 Honda Accord. |