Car models an indicator of our state of economy

Traffic snarl-up in Nairobi. [File, Standard]

There are more small cars on our highways than in the past. The economic explanation is that once the price of petrol hit Sh200 a litre, car buyers started focusing on the cost of running the car.

Not so surprising led by taxi drivers. And why do they usually pass through a petrol station just after picking you up? The easy option to control costs was buying smaller cars.

Curiously, such small cars are more common in Europe, where they manufacture cars.

The explanation given is climatic change. Europe is also moving away from meat, again to mitigate climatic change. Add the rising sales of electric cars.

Let’s get back home. 

The rise in the value of the dollar made the cars more expensive, and buyers simply downgraded to smaller cars. Car owners also kept their cars longer, instead of buying new ones.  

With higher import prices, car buyers preferred the local market raising the demand and prices of old cars.

Who said economics is not fun? Did the car salvage industry benefit too? Are there more cars in storage or on stones? Did small car owners downgrade further to tuk-tuks or walking?

Higher car prices had another unintended consequence; buyers shifted to new  and exotic models, cheaper than popular ones.

Noted the rising popularity of Mazda cars? Seen Ford, Jeep, Cherry, Mahindra and Proton? Shall we see Lada soon? Even Peugeot has made a return. Add Volvo; these two brands were “the cars” when we were growing up. 

Another salient feature is that higher prices did not stop the sale of high-end cars like Jaguar, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Lexus and Jeep. Even Bentley is around. Which others have you seen?

These cars are not just a means of transport, they signify class and status. And we have not stopped being class-conscious. Did this group upgrade to helicopters? How come we rarely talk of luxury yachts in Kenya? Not yet a status symbol?

It seems as hustlers downgrade, the rest upgrade. Rising inequality? Noted the missing middle in the car range - 1500cc to 2000cc?

The car market is interesting. By just observing, you can learn a lot about the social cultural trends and the pulse of the economy. And without struggle, just open your eyes. 

What is the cc (cubic capacity) of your car? What does it say about you? My Vitz RS is going strong.