Some jurisdictions require that auto makers offer low or no emission vehicles, a vehicle is considered a “compliance car” if it is clear that the company producing it is only doing so in order to comply with these regulations, rather than viewing them as a source of profit. This is generally identified by low production volume, sales limited to only regions where the law requires it, and low effort design.
They would be advertising anyway, but yes people do have a tendency to see more value in volume even if the value isn’t actually there. It goes along with the US fascination with buying in bulk.
Also the companies either not selling smaller models at all or selling under powered econobox trash.
YSK: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compliance_car
They don’t sell them because they make a bigger profit on giant trucks even if they have to pay for ads to convince people to buy them.
They would be advertising anyway, but yes people do have a tendency to see more value in volume even if the value isn’t actually there. It goes along with the US fascination with buying in bulk.