wolfpuppy
And yet, they, and their contracts, are an exceedingly easy scapegoat for the ills of the auto industry.
Here's a thought exercise - back in the early '80s, foreign makers made what were then deemed "hot hatches", econobox hatchbacks with bigger motors, uprated suspensions and better brakes, than the regular line. They sold for a bit more, but not so much as to keep them from being entry-level.
So, the exercise is this: what if car makers tried a similar thing today? A relatively stripped model where you could add as an option the Performance Group, in which you get engine, suspension, brake and some sporty interior stuff but were able to give the heave-ho to crap you may not want. Like power, leather seats, power windows, A-C, heck, even radio-sound system. Wouldn't the younger buyers go fo that kind of deal? Seems like Subaru is going that way with their WRX line, sort of.
I mean, what you're trying to do is get them in early, give them a decent car, and then as they get older and the priorities change, they buy the models with more luxury-room-towing capacity, etc.
I can't figure out why this wouldn't work AND make money for folks who are in desparate need for both.
E.P.
