--- title: "Good News: Automakers Are Working on Cheaper Cars Because That’s What We Can Afford  " date: "2025-02-01" modified: "2025-02-01" authors: - name: "Beverly Braga" job_title: "Weekend Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/beverly-braga" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/good-news-automakers-are-working-on-cheaper-cars-because-thats-what-we-can-afford" categories: - "Car Buying" - "News" tags: - "National Automobile Dealers Association" - "new-car prices" - "price of new cars" --- # Good News: Automakers Are Working on Cheaper Cars Because That’s What We Can Afford   ![]() *\Red Moon Rise via Getty Images\* They're all about that base, 'bout that base—all models. "Lower-priced cars are coming" was the automaker consensus during last week's NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) Show, which is good news for consumers on the affordability front. Just don't expect the cheaper vehicles to be anything exciting. According to [*Automotive News*](), the likes of [Ford](), [Mini](), [Mitsubishi](), and [Ram]() will be bringing down the starting MSRPs of their existing crossovers and [trucks]() by introducing new base or lower-end trims. Even [Tesla]() is "on the cusp" of new affordable models, likely variants of the [Model 3]() and [Model Y](), reports [*Autocar*](). Right, and the cost of eggs will be, like, two bucks any day now. For their efforts, [General Motors]() and [Volkswagen]() have already reaped the benefits of their bottom-of-the-barrel models, while [Stellantis]() recently reintroduced a [bargain minivan](). Ah, notice a pattern? ![]() **Nora Carol Photography via Getty Images** If you were looking for news that the sub-$20K Mitsubishi [Mirage]() or Nissan [Versa]() were being brought back from the dead or that any current non-CUV would [cost less than 20 grand]() (stick shift [base Mazda 3](), anyone?), you'd be searching for a very long time. Just because automakers de-content models or bring prices down doesn't mean they're going to do it with low profit-margin vehicles (i.e. cars). The crossover is king. The Encore GX and [Envista](), both subcompact crossovers, had a gangbusters year as [Buick]()'s best-selling vehicles of 2024. The redesigned [Chevrolet]() [Trax]() had the brand's best year-over-year sales increase and was the third-best-selling model overall. The small CUV starts at $21,495 (LS) and tops out at $25,395 (Activ), all of which cost less than the still-in-inventory base [Malibu]() LS at $26,995. Other sub-$30,000 vehicles from Chevy are the [Trailblazer]() and [Equinox](). There could be cheap Chevy trucks in the future, too, if the Bowtie brand were to follow its Southeast Michigan frenemies. *AN* said Ram is planning lower-priced [1500]() trims (after dropping the [1500 Classic]()), and Ford has a midsize electric truck due in 2027, but not before giving dealers more of the [F-150]() STX, a trim that costs nearly 40% less than the fancy Platinum. Rob Kaffl, Ford’s U.S. sales director, noted that the lower-priced trims could also be region-specific based on need. For example, hybrid trucks for Florida and 4x2 models with high tow ratings for Texas. The base [Bronco]() also returns for 2025, and Ford has plans for cheaper versions of the [Bronco Sport]() and [Maverick](). “More than just customer behavior, dealers have told us there’s opportunity there where we might not have been aware,” Kaffl told *AN*. Still, new vehicles remain [too damn big]() and too damn expensive. The new vehicle average transaction price (ATP) was $49,740 in December, according to [*Kelley Blue Book*]()'s latest findings. *KBB* said the ATP increased in Q4 last year to nearly match the all-time high set in December 2022. Not only that, but J.D. Power said monthly loan payments hit an average of $756 that same month. However, the [average dropped to $734]() in January. I guess, yay? If only the NADA could help with those eggs. ## Author Born and raised in Hawaii, Beverly has been a prolific and published creative writer since her teens. As a contributor to The Drive, Beverly covers the weekend shift, blogging about all things automotive, mobility, transportation, and topics in-between. Currently a digital nomad, Beverly's only constant is her car, a second-generation Mazdaspeed3. Even though she's never in one place for too long, her hot hatch always feels like home. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()