Small car sales boomed in first quarter

DETROIT, April 4 (UPI) -- U.S. car buyers are thinking small in 2008, trading in mid-sized for compact and compact for small, industry data shows.

Vehicle sales in the United States dropped 12 percent overall in March but sales of the smallest cars on the market boomed, up 27 percent, USA Today reported Friday.

Sales of the Toyota Yaris jumped 70 percent, while Honda Fit sales increased 61 percent and the Kia Spectra rose 41 percent, the report said.

Rising petroleum prices have driven consumers to trade down in size and up in mileage. But, consumers are also feeling an economic pinch and trading down in features, the report said.

Data from several small car sales, including the Nissan Versa, shows consumers are paying less for the same small cars than they did a year ago, the report said.