The Hyundai Accent has backward-leapfrogged Nissan's Versa to become the cheapest car sold in the United States--by $20.
Both recently limboed under the symbolic $10,000 bar--if you don't count shipping--in search of some low-end buzz in this depressed market.
The base Mexican-built Versa grabbed that title when it went on sale Nov. 18, undercutting the Kia Rio's $12,145, which includes shipping. Now Hyundai's Accent GS has the title, and dealers are "thrilled," says Scott Fink, incoming chairman of the Hyundai dealer council.
"We've always been the low-cost leader," Fink says. "Now we're back, leading the charge."
With shipping, the base Accent is $10,665; the Versa is $10,685.
Hyundai says it cut the price of the Accent GS without eliminating features. The car, equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission, had sold for $11,745, including shipping. The GS makes 110 hp and gets 27 mpg city/33 highway.
The new base Versa has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Previously, Nissan's lowest-priced Versa was equipped with a 1.8-liter. The new Versa comes with the standard five-speed manual transmission, makes 107 hp and is rated at 26 mpg city/34 highway. The 1.8-liter engine, with a six-speed manual, makes 122 hp and gets 26/31.
"Consumers are more price-sensitive than ever," says Jesse Toprak, senior analyst with Edmunds.com. "That's why Nissan did it with Versa. These are price leaders to bring in traffic.
"It's an ad tool. It also can be a pre-emptive strike against the Chinese entrants expected to come in the next few years at low prices."
Both recently limboed under the symbolic $10,000 bar--if you don't count shipping--in search of some low-end buzz in this depressed market.
The base Mexican-built Versa grabbed that title when it went on sale Nov. 18, undercutting the Kia Rio's $12,145, which includes shipping. Now Hyundai's Accent GS has the title, and dealers are "thrilled," says Scott Fink, incoming chairman of the Hyundai dealer council.
"We've always been the low-cost leader," Fink says. "Now we're back, leading the charge."
With shipping, the base Accent is $10,665; the Versa is $10,685.
Hyundai says it cut the price of the Accent GS without eliminating features. The car, equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission, had sold for $11,745, including shipping. The GS makes 110 hp and gets 27 mpg city/33 highway.
The new base Versa has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. Previously, Nissan's lowest-priced Versa was equipped with a 1.8-liter. The new Versa comes with the standard five-speed manual transmission, makes 107 hp and is rated at 26 mpg city/34 highway. The 1.8-liter engine, with a six-speed manual, makes 122 hp and gets 26/31.
"Consumers are more price-sensitive than ever," says Jesse Toprak, senior analyst with Edmunds.com. "That's why Nissan did it with Versa. These are price leaders to bring in traffic.
"It's an ad tool. It also can be a pre-emptive strike against the Chinese entrants expected to come in the next few years at low prices."
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