Mid-size—also known asintermediate—is avehicle size classwhich originated in the United States and is used for cars larger thancompact carsand smaller thanfull-size cars.[1]"Large family car" is a UK term and a part of theD-segmentin the European car classification. Mid-size cars are manufactured in a variety of body styles, includingsedans,coupes,station wagons,hatchbacks,andconvertibles.Compact executive carscan also fall under the mid-size category.
History
edit
The automobile that defined this size in theUnited Stateswas theRambler Sixthat was introduced in 1956, although it was called a "compact" car at that time.[2]Much smaller than any standard contemporary full-size cars, it was called a compact to distinguish it from the small imported cars that were being introduced into the marketplace.[3]
By the early 1960s, the car was renamed theRambler Classicand while it retained its basic dimensions, it was now competing with an array of new "intermediate" models from General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler.[4]The introduction of the 1962Ford Fairlanewas viewed by consumers as too close to the compactFalconin size and performance as well as too close to the full-sizedFordmodels in price.[5]It was the introduction of General Motors "senior compacts"that grew the mid-size market segment as the line of cars themselves kept increasing in size.[5]By 1965, theseGM "A platform"mid-size models matched the size of 1955 full-size cars.[5]
During the 1970s, the intermediate class in the U.S. was generally defined as vehicles with wheelbases between 112 inches (2,845 mm) and 118 inches (2,997 mm). Once again, the cars grew and by 1974 they were "about as large as the full-size cars of a decade or so ago... best sellers includeFord Torino,Chevrolet Chevelle,AMC Matador,Plymouth Satellite... "[6]The domestic manufacturers began changing the definition of "medium" as they developed new models for an evolving market place.[7]
A turning point occurred in the late 1970s, when rising fuel costs and government fuel economy regulations caused all car classes to shrink, and in many cases to blur. Automakers moved previously "full-size" nameplates to smallerplatformssuch as theFord LTD IIand thePlymouth Fury.[8]A comparison test byPopular Scienceof four intermediate sedans (the 1976 AMC Matador,Chevrolet Malibu,Ford Torino, andDodge Coronet) predicted that these will be the "big cars of the future."[9]By 1978, General Motors made its intermediate models smaller.[10]
New "official" size designations in the U.S. were introduced by theEPA,which defined market segments by passenger and cargo space.[12]Formerly mid-sized cars that were built on the same platform, like theAMC Matadorsedan, had a combined passenger and cargo volume of 130 cubic feet (3.68 m3), and were now considered "full-size" automobiles.[13][14]
Cars that defined the mid-size market in the 1980s and 1990s included the Chrysler K-Cars (Dodge AriesandPlymouth Reliant), theFord Taurus,and theToyota Camry,which was upsized into the midsize class in 1991. The Taurus and Camry came to define the mid-size market for decades.
Mid-size cars were the most popular category of cars sold in the United States, with 27.4 percent during the first half of 2012, ahead of crossovers at 19 percent.[15]
Current definition
edit
TheUnited States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)Fuel Economy Regulations for 1977 and Later Model Year(dated July 1996) includes definitions for classes of automobiles.[16]Based on the combined passenger andcargovolume, mid-size cars are defined as having aninterior volume indexof 110–119 cu ft (3.1–3.4 m3).[17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"'Mid-size' car definition by Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary ".K Dictionaries. 2005.Retrieved25 January2019.
- ^Auto Editors ofConsumer Guide(5 September 2007)."1956-1957 Rambler".Archived fromthe originalon 20 September 2020.Retrieved29 October2020.
{{cite web}}:|author=has generic name (help) - ^Corporate Strategies of the Automotive Manufacturers: An historical perspective on the automobile industry.U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1978. p. 153.
- ^Severson, Aaron (25 December 2009)."What's a Matador? The AMC Matador, Rebel, and Classic".Ate Up With Motor.
- ^abcFlory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2004)."Introduction".American Cars, 1960-1972: Every Model, Year by Year.McFarland. p. 8.ISBN9780786452002.Retrieved29 October2020.
- ^Shafer, Ronald. D. (1974)."What Women Should Know About Cars".Harper's Bazaar.107:36.Retrieved29 October2020.
- ^Lund, Robert (March 1976)."Detroit Listening Post".Popular Mechanics.145(3): 14.
- ^Jim Dunne(September 1975)."Detroit Report: an intermediate step".Popular Science.207(3): 40.Retrieved26 January2019.
- ^Jim Dunne;Hill, Ray (February 1976)."Intermediate sedans - big cars of the future".Popular Science.208(2): 36, 38, 44, 46.
- ^Jim Dunne(October 1977)."GM for '78: the intermediates are smaller".Popular Science.211(4): 92–95.
- ^Appel, Tom (25 October 2017)."Review Flashback! 1997 Cadillac Catera".The Daily Drive: Consumer Guide.
- ^"How are vehicle size classes defined?".fueleconomy.gov.Retrieved24 December2012.
- ^"1978 49-state Fuel Economy Guide".fueleconomy.gov. 10 November 1978.Retrieved27 January2019.
- ^Jim Dunne(June 1977)."A Sneak Preview of the '78 cars".Popular Science.210(6): 78.Retrieved27 January2019.
AMC plans to offer a more luxurious Matador model to compete in the full-size market
- ^St. Antoine, Arthur (December 2012)."Comparison: 2012-2013 Midsize Sedan Comparison: Battle of the Best-Sellers".Motor Trend.Retrieved24 December2012.
- ^"Code of Federal Regulations Sec. 600.315 - 82 Classes of comparable automobiles".U.S. Government Publishing Office. 1 July 1996. p. 733.
- ^"FAQ - How are vehicle size classes defined?".www.fueleconomy.gov.Retrieved5 January2019.