Quote:
Most Americans drive around in something like a Toyota Camry or Ford Focus, though
Ha, remember that Camry is a very large car by standards of most of the world. The number one selling vehicle in the USA is Ford F-150 truck, most used for daily commute (not for commercial use). I'm sure at least half the cars on the road are larger than Ford Focus. Camry is/was #1 car, before that Taurus (a much larger Ford than the Focus) but even then more F-150s were sold.
I see it every day in Seattle metro area. In other states, larger cars are even more popular (e.g. Texas). I can't speak for Wisconsin, never having been there.
Yes, some people buy large vehicles for status, but not all. Some buy them for perceived safety, other for the feeling of 'control' they get by having a large tall powerful vehicle. Yet others buy them because they can. There is much traffic at night and on weekends, and no apparent reduction of driving miles. I'm sure a few people are cutting back, but I doubt if many other than young drivers.