Detroit Learns How to Sell Little Cars

General Motors and Ford are outselling their Asian rivals at the subcompact end of the U.S. auto market, The Wall Street Journal notes.

The newspaper points out that such models and the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fiesta minicars are outselling the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris. Analysts observe that Japanese models dominated the segment as recently as five years ago.

Minicars don't generate high sales volumes in the U.S. market. But they've long been considered important for their role in capturing a brand's first-time buyers.

Detroit has struggled since the early 1970s to offer competitive small cars. The Journal suggests domestic carmakers have found a successful formula by offering more stylish small cars equipped with such bigger-car features as heated seats, navigation screens and rearview cameras.

GM says low-interest rates and easier credit are helping drive minicar sales too.