Hey Auto Manufacturers: Why Not Make the Next Version Lighter and Cheaper?

Editor-in-Chief

How many times have you seen this happen? An auto manufacturer starts off with a killer, affordable little car that is a huge success. Then, for the next version they try to capitalize on the model’s success by making it… ~~bloated~~ heavier and ~~overpriced~~ more expensive? I’ve seen this with everything from the 240Z to the Scion xB.

So auto manufacturers, here’s my advice: focus on what made your car successful in the first place. Of course, styling is important–don’t forget styling. But chances are people liked your car cause it was simple and cheap. So please, keep it that way. And, if you really want to go nuts, if you really want to sell a ton of cars, why not try making the car lighter and cheaper?

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Posted at 9:25 am in Rants

Comments

Jon Newlyn
Apr 7, 2008 at 8:27 am

I totally agree, I have an early 240Z and a 350Z and, whilst the 350Z is a lovely car, you have to driving at 8/10s and above, however due to the lightness of the original Z (Under 1200Kgs) enjoyment can be had at any speed.

Skullmonkey17
Apr 3, 2008 at 6:02 am

I agree. Look at the price on that new Dodge minivan with the table in it. The thing starts in the $35k range! Chances are, the crowd that is attracted to minivans are like me, they have a van load of kids, but empty pocket books…

Do what I do, Buy “new/used”. As soon as a car rolls off the dealer lot, it loses like a third of it’s value. Then give it two years or so and you’ll be able to pick it up with decent to low miles for less than half of what it started out at. …just my thought on the subject.

retroman
Apr 2, 2008 at 9:59 pm

The T-bird got so big that one of Ford’s main stockholders complained the company ruined it and threatened to dump her stock if they continued to do the same thing to the Mustang. Aside from the ’71-’73 big bodies, I think they listened.

Austin
Apr 2, 2008 at 8:09 pm

Word, I hope some auto companies read this.

Stewart
Apr 2, 2008 at 2:49 pm

Take a look at history of the T-Bird.
.
It got HUGE.

Derrick
Apr 2, 2008 at 12:21 pm

your idea just makes to much sense, and we all know when something makes sense its always done the other way, which just doesn’t make any sense, or does it?