Why Sedans Disappeared

The CAFE standards were introduced in 1975[1]. I’m on my phone so investigating links properly is awkward, but it appears the footprint legislation was brought into effect in 2008[2]. Or in other words, before Obama.<p>I had to go and double check because a fact I was certain of was the PT Cruiser was designed to be classified as a light truck in order to require a lower CAFE standard, far before the 2008 reform. I’m sure there are many examples of this. The system in general is gamed aggressively. I can give a recent example:<p>The Honda CR-V. Look at the front bumpers of a European and US spec car<p>European: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;upload.wikimedia.org&#x2F;wikipedia&#x2F;commons&#x2F;4&#x2F;4a&#x2F;Honda_CR-V_2.2_i-DTEC_Lifestyle_%28IV%29_%E2%80%93_Frontansicht%2C_25._Januar_2014%2C_D%C3%BCsseldorf.jpg" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;upload.wikimedia.org&#x2F;wikipedia&#x2F;commons&#x2F;4&#x2F;4a&#x2F;Honda_CR...</a><p>US: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;file.kelleybluebookimages.com&#x2F;kbb&#x2F;base&#x2F;house&#x2F;2012&#x2F;2012-Honda-CR-V-FrontSide_HTCRV121_640x480.jpg" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;file.kelleybluebookimages.com&#x2F;kbb&#x2F;base&#x2F;house&#x2F;2012&#x2F;20...</a><p>The difference in front bumpers is due to a front approach angle requirement in CAFE’s regulations (18 degrees, off the top of my head?) to get a light truck classification.<p>Footprint isn’t really the issue. It’s related, and certainly why cars are getting bigger than they once were, but to my understanding the bounds of footprint for each classification hasn’t changed since the legislation was brought in, while cars are ballooning regardless. I think part of it is just consumer preference for more car.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Corporate_average_fuel_economy" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Corporate_average_fuel_economy</a><p>[2] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;web.archive.org&#x2F;web&#x2F;20081216085824&#x2F;http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nhtsa.dot.gov&#x2F;portal&#x2F;site&#x2F;nhtsa&#x2F;menuitem.43ac99aefa80569eea57529cdba046a0&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;web.archive.org&#x2F;web&#x2F;20081216085824&#x2F;http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.nhtsa....</a>

This sounds for me a very Obama hate(?) conclusion. If it&#x27;s really Obamas fault, why does this happen in many other countries as well?<p>Living in germany and italy in both countries I see the exact same trend.<p>I myself drive a sedan, a Volvo S60. It is a gorgeous car and I always get compliments for it, but the seller (who is a very big one) only sold one S60 in several years. It is also the least sold car by Volvo, as far as I know.<p>So how is this Obamas fault again?

&gt;The bigger the car&#x27;s footprint, the easier the MPG target was.<p>Let me guess - the fantastic bribery system I mean lobbying system at work?

The author makes the assertion that the mpg targets are easier and it&#x27;s implied it&#x27;s because the number is lower.<p>I&#x27;d like to see that assertion actually supported with evidence.<p>Making a heavier car, with higher ground clearance, and a less aerodynamic shape (squared rear) means it will get less mpg by default.<p>So what makes it easier to hit the mpg target vs a sedan?

Not interested in clicking on a Twitter link, but the claim seems a bit silly.<p>I see lots of sedans in the street made by companies like Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Maybe the sedan just became a bit more upmarket than it used to be.

This has also happened in Australia.<p>There are hatchbacks, SUVs and light trucks. Sedans have become far less common.<p>It&#x27;d be interesting to compare with Western Europe.

He mentions the Honda Fit needing to hit a crazy MPG in 2026 which struck me as odd for a few reasons:<p>1. It doesn&#x27;t actually seem that much higher than the actual Honda Jazz Hybrid mpg gets.<p>2. Does CAFE dictate individual cars? I thought it was a fleet average.<p>3. The Fit was withdrawn from NA market (and phased out in some others) in 2020, due to low demand in the sub-compact segment according to Honda.<p>4. It&#x27;s not a sedan.

Sedans are actually making a comeback. The Shanghai auto show featured a few cool EV sedans that got a lot of attention. If you want to see the future of cars, that&#x27;s the place to be. A few of those vehicles will come to Europe. The US is a bit cut off from innovation for the foreseeable future for obvious reasons. Maybe next decade.

Bigger cars dominate because a) consumers want them b) manufactures make higher margins on them c) ZIRP enabled higher spending, and d) the push to electrification was the point, not some unintended consequence.

<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;xcancel.com&#x2F;pitdesi&#x2F;status&#x2F;1916120249176358950" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;xcancel.com&#x2F;pitdesi&#x2F;status&#x2F;1916120249176358950</a>

Most sold car in world (model y) is a crossover where MPG doesn&#x27;t apply. I think people simply car about practicality and comfort far more than emissions or safety.

In India it is same. But because the roads are bad, so a high ground clearance vehicle is desired. Though the SUVs are much smaller than the US counterparts.

Why would I buy a sedan if I can pay the same price for a wagon? A Toyota Corolla Wagon, one you cannot get in the states, has a larger trunk space than the RAV4 whilst costing almost half as much.<p>The reason people prefer other types kf cars to sedans is that for similar money you can get something that is more practical. Unfortunately, CAFE has perversely incentivised car makers to make those alternatives bigger than sedans. But, unfortunately, even in EU the consumers seem to prefer crossovers, almost to the point where they are getting cheaper than their hatchback&#x2F;wagon alternatives.