The end of production for the Nissan Versa means there are no new cars priced under $20,000 — a blow to some Americans who may find themselves priced out of the market.
In 1984, the Nissan Sentra XE hatchback coupe had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $7,299, which is approximately $22,038 in today’s dollars. It had far less safety features than a VW ID2.
It remains to be seen if the VW ID2 will be sold in the US. It’s doubtful — just like the ID3 wasn’t the ID1 wont be, the 2-door Golf no longer is, and the smaller Buzz isn’t.
There are comparable cars in the US and EU market for comparable prices. Is it just that this specific model isn’t available yet?
I’m also seeing from European sites that the price is is Euro and not USD. Even in USD the car is still comparable to the other cars listed up above at 21.5k USD.
You brought up that
"Airbags don’t cost $30000 to add to a car. Seatbelts have been around since the 1960s.
Technology like this gets cheaper as it becomes a commodity. Look at how cheap flat panel tvs have gotten."
So why aren’t these EU cars significantly less expensive relative to their market?
So what is your point here? Was the point you are trying to make specific to VW? To EV’s?
To be clear. I am stating the down market cars are pretty much in line with inflation pricing the the US car market and that much of the lowering in price that would have been achieved with manufacturing improvements went to safety and performance improvements.
VW ID2. $21,600.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/electric-cars/vw-slashes-ev-price-id-2-now-set-to-undercut-rivals-in-2026-launch/ar-AA1G3hCk
In 1984, the Nissan Sentra XE hatchback coupe had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $7,299, which is approximately $22,038 in today’s dollars. It had far less safety features than a VW ID2.
So, VW is selling the cars that in the US that you said they don’t.
It remains to be seen if the VW ID2 will be sold in the US. It’s doubtful — just like the ID3 wasn’t the ID1 wont be, the 2-door Golf no longer is, and the smaller Buzz isn’t.
https://www.carscoops.com/2025/03/vw-id-1-wont-come-to-america-but-id-2-is-already-making-travel-plans/
There are comparable cars in the US and EU market for comparable prices. Is it just that this specific model isn’t available yet?
I’m also seeing from European sites that the price is is Euro and not USD. Even in USD the car is still comparable to the other cars listed up above at 21.5k USD.
You brought up that
Technology like this gets cheaper as it becomes a commodity. Look at how cheap flat panel tvs have gotten."
So why aren’t these EU cars significantly less expensive relative to their market?
So what is your point here? Was the point you are trying to make specific to VW? To EV’s?
To be clear. I am stating the down market cars are pretty much in line with inflation pricing the the US car market and that much of the lowering in price that would have been achieved with manufacturing improvements went to safety and performance improvements.