Chart Of The Day: Compact Cars (C-Segment)

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The C-segment did not have a great July, especially compared to July 2009’s Cash-for-Clunker-inspired clamor for compact cars. The three exceptions were the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte and Mitsubishi Lancer, which all handily beat their July 2009 numbers. If you’re getting sick of the “Hyundai momentum” storyline, look elsewhere. On the other hand, with production of 2012s underway, the lame-duck Focus has settled into a 15k-month routine (actually averaging about 14,500 over the last 12 months), and Cobalt is falling away as Lordstown tools up for the Cruze. And with a new Elantra due by the end of this year, real competition in this segment is only just beginning.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Mjz Mjz on Aug 10, 2010

    Looks like Fiesta is sucking sales from the Focus.

  • Dcdriver Dcdriver on Aug 10, 2010

    It seems to me that the potential buyers in this segment is expanding. Back in the 90's and for most of the 2000's you didn't see many 35+ year-old professionals buying Civics, Corollas, Escorts/Foci etc. These tended to be the typical first new car for the guy or gal just starting their adult work career. As a car guy- I notice what people drive-- I can tell you what car every person I know drives. I've noticed that many 35-40 year old male professionals who in the past would be driving an Accord or a semi luxury sedan, driving around in C-segment cars. Most of their wives drive the mommy-mobile SUV or Minivan so there really is no need to have a 2nd "big car" just for dad to commute in.

  • Cdnsfan27 Cdnsfan27 on Aug 10, 2010

    +1 to dcdriver. We have a Freestyle for the "mommy car" and a Focus ST as our commuter car. The Focus is a blast to drive and makes the commute go by faster while still delivering good fuel economy. The Freestyle does everything we need for a family car including bringing home stuff we need for making home renos including an amazing amount of laminate flooring. I think we got the best of both worlds. When our vehicles wear out (no time soon) we will be looking at the Fiesta and the new Exporer.

  • Dcdriver Dcdriver on Aug 10, 2010

    I remember before the recession there was a family of 4 in my old neighborhood who had an Excursion as the family hauler and an Explorer as the "small car" for dad to commute in. Oh and they also had an f-150 whose bed never carried anything more than a few bags of mulch. It's purpose was for the dad to drive around town and look cool on the weekeends. Times have changed.

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