Quote:
Originally Posted by rainfall
There is this conception that Americans don't like hatchbacks, but I see a lot of GTIs, Focus, etc around. For me, hatchbacks have most of the practicality of these mini SUVs and are more fun to drive.
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In the US, compact hatchbacks are popular primarily as inexpensive utilitarian vehicles. Once you put the luxury badge on the tailgate and bump the price by $10k or more, the value equation goes out the window and sales are not sustainable. This is why the A Class hatchback, A3 Sportback (except in PHEV form), and 1 Series hatchback are not sold in the US, and why the Lexus CT200h was discontinued.
So, yes, as you've observed there is absolutely a market for small hatchbacks in the US. But there is no market for luxury equivalents.