Mid-Size Cars: Century, Lumina, Malibu, Taurus/Sable, Accord, Sonata, 626, Galant, Maxima, Grand Prix, L-Series, Camry, Passat
By Bob Storck
Mid-size
sedans are the largest selling segment of the American auto market.
Three of the top seven nameplates fit this category -- Camry, Accord
and Taurus. They have been vying for passenger car sales leadership,
and only a few thousand units usually separate them -- with annual sales
of 4-500 thousand each. They have swapped the top spot the last three
years, and fantastic bargains abound for end of the year shoppers.
The
sleek Taurus has worn the "top-seller" crown for several years,
but is inhibited by not having cheaper four cylinder models in its lineup.
Honda took care of one of their
major shortcomings
with the addition of a six-cylinder engine in their new Accord. Camry
won the 'top-seller'
crown last year for the first time and is anxious to repeat. Now is
a great time to bargain for one of these cars as many bragging rights
go with the final sales numbers.
Comparison
tests indicate that the differences between competitors are getting
smaller and fewer. Since the car market has become so spread out there
is little in size and appearance to distinguish the mid-size market.
Price and engine size is more of a factor. All have a six-cylinder engine
in their top models. Despite many foreign brand names, most are built
in the United States.
These
cars can expect to seat four people comfortably, and five occasionally.
Airbags have become universal, and fuel economy is not presently a major
issue due to inexpensive US gasoline. This is bound to change in the
next century, and there is a trend to more fuel efficient engines. This
size car allows more sound deadening materials and the price level allows
innovative engineering in electronically controlled drive trains. While
base cars will sell in the high teens, most sales will be in the mid-20s.
Since there are luxury and performance models, this segment's prices
can soar into the thirties if all the boxes are checked.
Mid Size Cars
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