• nbailey@lemmy.ca
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    2 months ago

    Can’t upvote this enough. It’s not the consumers, it’s the dealers calling the shots. Some examples:

    Looking for a Corolla hybrid: no dealer had one, and all of them said it could be 18 months or more before one would be available

    Looking for a RAV4 suv: we have 8 on the lot take your pick

    Looking for a Mazda 3 hatchback: the only one in the colour you want is a six hour drive away and no we can’t transfer it here

    Looking for a CX5 suv: we have literally a million of them

    In both examples the cars cost almost the same amount to build. They have the same drivetrain, engine, transmission, etc. But since the “suv” or “crossover” is taller and bigger they can charge 20-30% more, earning them more commission and dealer fees, so that’s what they order from the manufacturer. Unless you have months to wait, you take what you get.