I don’t think you can generalize the US like that. I’ve owned several small cars (and mini trucks), including small imports; I’ve never gotten a negative comment on them (in the southern US no less), people just aren’t very interested in that category.
I think it’s simple economics. They sit on dealer lots and move slow, plus margins are tiny so no one wants to sell them. You see this in the rental car space especially clearly where subcompacts are easy and cheap to rent because they sit on the lots. I think the issue is simply quality —- they’re uncomfortable, cheaply made, and a few more dollars gets you way more vehicle and safety margin. Market segmentation for the dealers is bad as well, they don’t want to eat high margin big cars with loss-leader tiny cars.
I think it’s simple economics. They sit on dealer lots and move slow, plus margins are tiny so no one wants to sell them. You see this in the rental car space especially clearly where subcompacts are easy and cheap to rent because they sit on the lots. I think the issue is simply quality —- they’re uncomfortable, cheaply made, and a few more dollars gets you way more vehicle and safety margin. Market segmentation for the dealers is bad as well, they don’t want to eat high margin big cars with loss-leader tiny cars.