Why the affordable new car is dead

In 2011, P-platers or those on the very tightest of budgets were relatively spoiled for choice in the new-car market. For vehicles priced below $20,000, there were 170 variants available across 33 models from 21 brands. Fast-forward a decade, and the market is a fairly depressing sight for the slim-walleted: just 19 variants available for less than $20,000 – covering just nine models and six brands. Make that nine variants and five models if you want an automatic transmission.