Subcompact Sales Poised to Hit Levels Not Seen in More Than Decade

One year after the Japanese Big Three reintroduced B-cars in the U.S., the subcompact segment is booming.

If year-to-date sales are any indication, subcompacts in 2007 will reach levels not seen in more than 11 years.

For the year’s first four months, sales of vehicles in Ward’s Lower Small segment are running 95.1% ahead of like-2006, at 107,942 units vs. 55,328, Ward’s data shows.

B-car deliveries are tracking at an annual rate of 535,105 units, nearly double ...