Background Economy car

from inception 1920s, ford model t fulfilled both of these roles simultaneously in u.s. , in many markets around world. in europe , japan in 1920s , 1930s, achieved smaller austin 7 , competitors , derivatives, although failed accepted on u.s. market in middle of depression. 1940s , 1960s, volkswagen beetle played both roles throughout of world—in germany , latin america particularly—but let down relatively high fuel consumption, such british, french, italian, , japanese models, better fuel economy, capture maximum-economy position in home countries (which mainstream there). meanwhile, in u.s., beetle , other imports command maximum-economy position, mainstream-economy position commanded cars seem more mid-range or luxury models in other markets. 1960s new wave of front-wheel-drive cars independent suspension had been launched. 1970s hatchback had become standard body type new economy car models. in 1960-1994 soviet union (and - ukraine) selling economy car zaporozhets (at end of 80s - successor, zaz-1102, , vaz-1111 made avtovaz) on world market, @ subsidised prices hard foreign currency. many of these cars seen best value proposition, because larger cars, same price small western models; in case of lada let down poor fuel economy. in mid-1980s, yugoslavian zastava koral (yugo) (a rebodied 1971-83 fiat 127), sold cheapest new car on u.s. market, south korea s hyundai models sold in u.s., , have gone on successful around world. since 1990s, automotive industry has become extensively globalized, major manufacturers being multinational corporations using globally sourced raw materials , components, trend moving assembly lowest labour cost countries. today, every major manufacturer offers economy cars, including @ least 1 small car may fall subclassifications such subcompact car, supermini, b-segment; city car; microcar; , others.

features in 1 decade considered luxury items (for example, power steering, power (servo assisted) brakes, air conditioning, electric windows) in later decades viewed appropriate standard equipment in economy models.