Subcompact car
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A subcompact car is an automobile in a vehicle size class smaller than a compact car but larger than a city car (see supermini for European small cars). Such cars usually have four or more seats and in North America, subcompacts are usually considered to be those cars that have a wheelbase of 2.54 metres (100 inches) or less or between 85 ft³ (2400 L) and 99 ft³ (2800 L) of interior volume (though popular usage of the term frequently ignores these boundaries). Subcompacts/superminis are most commonly sold in Europe and Japan where they enjoy enormous popularity, and are reasonably popular in North America despite people often preffers American and Asian sedans.
This type of car was first seen in North America in the 1950s with the introduction of the Nash Metropolitan and a number of imported models, although the subcompact did not see wider adoption until the 1970s with such cars as the Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Vega. Today numerous models of subcompacts are sold, including the Toyota Vitz (also sold as the Toyota Echo & Yaris), the Scion xA, the Kia Rio, the Chevrolet Aveo, and the Hyundai Accent.
In 1971, Ford and GM introduced their subcompact models, with AMC's Gremlin having been the first introduced in April 1970. Of the four large American companies that were making cars at that point, only Chrysler did not develop a domestic subcompact car, electing instead to import models produced by its British and Japanese affiliates (the Plymouth Cricket and Dodge Colt respectively). Chrysler would not have a domestic subcompact until the 1978 Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon twins. Ford later added its European minicar, the Ford Fiesta, to its North American lineup for the 1978 model year, but it was only available for three years. Although they were all strong sellers in their time, none of the early domestic subcompacts are well thought of today, with the AMC Gremlin, Ford Pinto and Chevrolet Vega placing 4th, 3rd and 2nd, respectively, in Car Talk's "Worst Car of the Millennium" contest. The 'winner' was another subcompact, the Yugo.
However, some luxurious subcompacts like the BMW 1 Series are not sold in the US, but they are for example, sold in Mexico.
Popularity in other countries
Subcompacts are more popular in developing countries not because of their size, but of their cheaper price. For example, Volkswagen has always had a large presence in Brazil, and is one of the mainstream manufacturers there. Brazil had developed its own Volkswagen cars, based on German Volkswagen models. Examples of these are the Volkswagen Gol and the Volkswagen Fox.
The term "subcompact" has also changed in some countries as some sedan versions of these are still called subcompacts.
Argentina designs and produces sedan versions of subcompacts like the Volkswagen Polo, Renault Symbol and the Chevrolet Corsa Sedán. These subcompacts are exported to other countries. Argentina also produces cars like the Peugeot 504 and 505, and the Renault 12 because of their big success throughout the years.
Mexico previously never had the technology to develop models from scratch, but it is now beginning to do so with cars like the Nissan Platina, the Chevrolet Chevy C2 and the Nissan Tsuru, all designed (or redesigned) in Mexico. Famous subcompacts in Mexico include the Pontiac G2 and the Chevrolet C2, none of which are sold in the US.
See also
- List of recent subcompact cars
- Vehicle size class
- Car classification
External links
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