DavidR

Detroit: Please Bring Back the Stripped Car

Completely wrong. A cheap model was a necessity when a) used cars were unreliable, and b) you could only get financing for first time buyers on a new car. Who in their right mind would buy a new Focus with plain steel wheels, vinyl interior, roll down windows, no a/c, no radio and a vinyl floor for $9995 when you can buy a two year old, 30,000 mile Focus with alloy wheels, sunroof, A/C, power windows and locks and a CD player for $9995? As for government sales, there are special order versions that delete many of the extra features, and fleet incentives that push the price to the government far below what you can buy the same car for. Also, the government agencies aren't as dumb as you are, as I have recieved bids from local government agencies and districts specifying one year old vehicles so that they can save money too. Research your facts before you publish this rubbish.