[Number 3]

It isn't as much European styling, heck I have no idea what that means. The driver is size of the car and size of the engine.

In Europe for example, there are two key issues that drive this.

First is fuel prices which flirted with $10 per gallon there for a while and I think are still double what we pay. Tied to the need for better fuel economy is also the taxation on engine displacement. I remember when I had Fbodfather's Thor in Florida back in '09 and I met a guy who said back home a 6.2L engine would cost him the price of the car in taxes alone. So even if you are well off, you want a decent car that gets good Fuel Economy.

Second is parking and street size. If you have driven in Europe you know that having big car is simply inconventient. Hard to park, hard to drive. Thus another reason for a smaller proportioned car.

The old American addage if you want a nicer car you have to buy a bigger one is fading fast and doesn't work in Europe.

There is also a 5 meter length issue, but not sure if that is taxable issue as well.

So it isn't so much European style, but European proportions. And with the need to get reasonable volume for any new car you have to consider it for Europe and well that happens to also mean China these days.

In Europe, you could buy a car the size of a Chevy Cruze and get a luxury car with great performance (3 Series for example). Here, a car that size used to get you a Cobalt or a Neon or an Escort. Now those cars all have to be nicer, higher quality vehicles.

And with Green House Gas laws and CAFE both requiring 50 plus MPGs very soon, you'll see more of this common proportion to give a small car with good room and high quality materials and features.