Americans not very big on very small cars

Even with high gas prices, tiny minicars unlikely to make waves, study says

Despite a rush to offer them the smallest fuel-sipping cars, it seems one aphorism is likely to ring true for some time when it comes to Americans and their cars


But research from consulting firm CSM Worldwide shows that American consumers are not very big on very small cars, which are popular in many markets around the world because they are so fuel efficient and easy to park.

Dave Terebessy, an automotive analyst at CSM, said American buyers are likely to avoid cars that are smaller than the subcompact vehicles already on the U.S. market such as the Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo and Toyota Yaris.

American consumers, he said, are likely to forfeit a few miles per gallon rather than buy a car less than 150 inches in length, about the size of the Mini Cooper, which is the shortest car currently sold in the United States. All three of the Chevrolet concepts shown at the New York auto show were under 150 inches, while the new Smart Car will come in at just 106 inches.

MSNBC