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Econobox

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Econoboxis aUnited Statesinformalslangterm for a small, boxy, fuel-efficienteconomy carwith few luxuries and a low price.

History

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1977 Chevrolet Chevette
1973-1978 Honda Civic

Econoboxes first came to prominence in the United States due to the1973 oil crisis.[1]Japanese automakerswere leaders at producing smaller, fuel-efficient cars, as well as enjoying generally higher reliability and build quality than their US counterparts,[2]so their offerings such as theHonda Civic[3]generally outperformed their American competitors such as theChevrolet VegaandFord Pinto.

The best-known American econoboxes were the 1970s/80sChevrolet Chevette,Ford Pinto,Ford Escortand theDodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon.[4][5]Japanese econoboxes include theHonda Civic(in particular the first and second generations) and theDatsun B-210.Other cars such as theChevrolet Sprint,Geo Metro,Yugo[6]andChevrolet Aveoas well as theFord FestivaandFord Aspirewere considered econoboxes.[4]

Amongst the econoboxes were sold by American brands, many were manufactured in foreign countries. American car manufacturers in North America have typically had a hard time making money off of econoboxes, and they consider them "loss leaders" that only existed to meet CAFE fuel economy standards. So, over the course of time, American car companies shifted from manufacturing econoboxes themselves, and partnered with a foreign manufacturer to build them. An example of this is theAmerican Ford Escort:the Escort replaced the Pinto in 1981, and was manufactured by Ford until 1990.[7]From 1991 to 1996, however, it was built using theMazda B platformand the top trims featured a Mazda engine. Chevrolet did the same using its "GEO"line, to sell cars built by Suzuki and Toyota. Chrysler did as well, using cars built by Mitsubishi.

Today

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The term "econobox" is not often used for describing new cars, partly due to the boxy styling of economy cars declining at the end of the 1980s.[8]

Many long-running nameplates that obtained their start as econoboxes have since moved upscale. For example, the Austin Mini and VW Beetle have been revived as enthusiasts luxury cars, rather than cheap transportation for the masses. Meanwhile, theToyota Corolla,Mazda 3and theHonda Civicstarted as subcompact econoboxes but are now on the high-end of the compact size line.[3]In 2023 the cheapest new car available in the United States is theNissan Versapriced below US$20,000, with the cheapest trims starting at $16,000.

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Curbside Classic: 1977 Chevrolet Chevette – An Econobox For Garden-Variety Americans".curbsideclassic.Retrieved13 April2018.
  2. ^"The not-so-Big Three".CBC News.CBC. 2008-06-03.Retrieved2008-08-08.
  3. ^ab"Watch the Honda Civic Morph From 55-HP Econobox to 306-HP Mega Hatch".roadandtrack.Retrieved13 April2018.
  4. ^ab"Question of the Day: Most miserable econobox of all time?".autoblog.Retrieved13 April2018.
  5. ^"Ford Pinto: It's all relative".autoweek.Retrieved13 April2018.
  6. ^Furchgott, Roy (2021-06-10)."They Love the Yugo, the Car Others Love to Hate".Retrieved2022-02-21.
  7. ^"Ford Escort History".edmunds.Retrieved13 April2018.
  8. ^"The 25 Greatest Boxy Cars of All Time".popularmechanics.Retrieved14 April2018.