Why Detroit’s Latest Car Trend Has Buyers Pumping the Brakes

Trade wars and tariff uncertainty are continuing to impact the cost of everyday items for Michiganders — including groceries, electronics, and vehicles. For those shopping for a new ride, it turns out that many buyers are looking for something Detroit's Big Three haven’t always focused on: simplicity.

That’s the takeaway from a recent AutoPacific poll of more than 14,000 prospective car buyers. Participants were asked about more than 160 features, add-ons, and advanced technologies in today’s cars. Click here to read the full study.

What the Poll Revealed

While luxury models often include these high-tech extras, many budget-friendly vehicles do, too — and that’s part of the problem. Buyers are pushing back, saying they don’t want to pay for features they don’t use.

READ MORE: This Annoying Feature Might Soon Disappear from Michigan Cars

Frustration is especially high for features like Auto-Start and Automatic Lane Assist, which cannot be permanently disabled in some vehicles.

Expert Insights on Auto Trends

Robby DeGraff, AutoPacific’s Manager of Product and Consumer Insights, explained, 'A lot of these higher-end, upscale features… there's just not a lot of demand for them among budget-conscious buyers. They’re looking for things that are simple, that work, and aren’t super miraculous or flashy.'

Auto expert Jeff Gilbert added that the market for affordable cars is shrinking. Carmakers are struggling to build lower-cost models while maintaining profits. Many of these entry-level cars — and their parts — are manufactured in Mexico, and importing them increases costs.

The Shrinking Market for Budget Cars

As a result, truly affordable cars are becoming harder to find, and automakers are being forced to rethink what drivers really want: reliability without the extras.