To cut costs automakers are cutting back on the frills

February 16, 2009 – 12:52 am – No Comment

If consumers go back to buying American made cars, they will notice a few changes automakers have made to their lineup to cut costs. One thing they are doing is backing down on the trim and features avaiable. Here’s an example from the AP:

A buyer of the 2008 Ford Fusion could choose from the various models and extra features available and come up with 2,600 combinations. For the 2010 version due in showrooms this summer, the number drops to 104.

The Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord were the two best-selling cars in the U.S. in 2008. The people who purchased more than 800,000 of them combined last year picked from a total of just 15 versions. For the Accord, the models or trim levels were limited to just four, each level complete with a variety of extra bells and whistles.

The reduction in different styles of models would help the companies cut costs.This could also help the companies cut back on models and go to a structure where they have a great line up of a few cars rather than a large amount of okay cars.

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