The Nation's Pulse
Crossover Repeal
The big automakers are making too many kinds of cars. Enough, already.
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GM and Ford field a similar panoply of vehicles. So do Honda, Nissan and Chrysler. Each of them have a car for every conceivable purpose, often in multiply overlapping forms.
p>All of them are chasing a relatively small, relatively static buyer pool (at least in the US) for br> ever-diminishing returns, since the profit margin per vehicle continues to trend downward as more and more vehicles flood each market segment. /p>TAKE THIS NEW Toyota Venza (please).
It’s another recycling of a well-worn theme: Five door hatchback wagon that (in the equally well-worn words of Toyota PR) “combines a unique blend of sedan refinement and sport utility functionality.”
p>”Unique”? Er, maybe on Planet Zolton. But here on Earth, this concept is about as unique as a br> Wal-Mart/Bed, Bath & Beyond/Regal Cinema shopping mall. Toyota’s PR spiel could have been lifted in toto from the press kits of half a dozen other automakers. /p>Guys, if there’s more than one of something, it ain’t unique. Ok?
p>I selected crossovers for this rant because they’re the worst offenders, but you encounter the same pap br> when reading about the latest SUV bling-mobile, too. Or minivan. Or econo-box. Hang around long enough and it feels like Groundhog Day — every day. /p>Makes my head hurt.
The question is, how long can it go on?
About the Author
Eric Peters is an automotive columnist and author of Automotive Atrocities: The Cars You Love to Hate (Motor Books International) and a new book, Road Hogs.
