Movers and Losers: June's Top Compact/Economy Cars

Sales in June definitely favored compact and economy cars. With an average selling time of 65 days for all cars, the slowest of the best-moving economy cars was moving in less than half that time: 28 days. Many of June’s losers also beat that number. Scion, Toyota and Mini dominate the top 10, but the Pontiac Vibe is not only selling well, it’s selling quickly. Check out our recent review of the redesigned Vibe here. Losers are after the jump. 

Top Compact/Economy Movers

• 2009 Scion tC: 9 days
• 2009 Scion xB: 9 days
• 2008 Honda Fit: 11 days
• 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman: 13 days
• 2008 Mini Cooper: 18 days
• 2009 Toyota Corolla: 19 days
• 2008 Ford Focus: 26 days
• 2008 Mini Cooper convertible: 27 days
• 2008 Toyota Yaris hatchback: 28 days
• 2009 Pontiac Vibe: 28 days

Top Compact/Economy Losers

• 2008 Suzuki Reno: 85 days
• 2008 Kia Rio: 82 days
• 2008 Nissan Versa sedan: 77 days
• 2008 Subaru Impreza sedan: 72 days
• 2008 Suzuki SX4 sedan: 69 days
• 2008 Volvo C30: 67 days
• 2008 Chevy Aveo: 64 days
• 2008 Saturn Astra four-door: 60 days
• 2008 Dodge Caliber: 57 days
• 2008 Chevy Cobalt coupe: 56 days

Movers and Losers: June Top 10 

Comments

[ziggy]

It's amazing how e've been told over and over by manufacturers that hatchbacks don't sell well in the U.S....they do now!

[Dave T.]

ziggy,
i too find it interesting that the sedan versions of many of the economy cars sell worse than the hatchbacks.

[Mart]

It's probably because nearly every compact sedan out there is dog ugly. Most of these small cars were originally designed to be hatchbacks, and it's very hard to make a sexy sedan from a hatchback when you are working with such a short wheelbase. The only one I can think of (and you can't buy it here anyway) is the Fiat Linea.

[Dave]

Mart's right.

While the Yaris and SX4 sedans look fine, the Versa makes me wanna shoot the thing lol.

Before it's sedan redesign, when the Aveo5 and Aveo were the same gen, the hatch looks cute, and the sedan looked fine, also.

However, the new Aveo sedan is a sharp looking small car. Beats the Yaris, Fit, and SX4 with looks.

The accent is also a cute lil car...

[npoll212]

I find it odd that the Mazda3 isnt on that list....what was its average # of days on the lot?

[Dave T.]

npoll,
second month in a row someone asked about the 3. The hatch took 45 days. It is an aging model even though it's held up really well against the competition. Sedan took 60.

[LM]

Keep in mind these companies are producing many more sedans...so it would be helpful to have a breakdown by model of actual sales numbers, not just days on the lot. For instance, the Matrix isn't on the list, but it may very well, and likely, be outselling the Vibe.

[LM]

I just realized the Matrix may be included in the Corolla's numbers...correct or not, DT?

[Dave T.]

Our info breaks out the Matrix from corolla. 42 days to sell the 2009.
I've heard competing info on which is selling better. It would be helpful if Toyota revealed that info.
WE are not getting into the sales #s argument again.
And for a lot of the Versa type vehicles the automakers are producing more hatchbacks than sedans. They follow the sales mix closely and produce accordingly except at launch when they have to use an estimate.

[DL]

i'm surprised that more people don't avoid the stupid S40 they way they avoid the C30. it's just an over-priced (way over priced) version of the Mazda3 with fancier trimmings. jeez

[Dave T.]

DL,
The S40 and Mazda3 are very different. The shared platform doesn't mean they have the same suspension, engines, transmissions, steering, interior, safety equipment etc.

But no, it is not selling well. Volvo is looking to revamp its S40 and S60 lines, and rumor is they may combine the 2.

[LM]

The S40 is more practical for more people. the C30 is overpriced and at last check lacked incentives.

[Beelzebubba]

It's very interesting that there are several "sedan" models on the "Losers" list, but the 5-door models aren't. For example- the Nissan Versa, Saturn Astra and Subaru Impreza sedans are among the worst, but the 5-door versions apparently aren't sitting as long as the sedan counterparts.

It's interesting that I keep hearing the U.S. market simply won't buy 5-door hatchbacks- obviously we do. Just not crap like the Suzuki Reno, Chevrolet Aveo or Dodge Caliber.