All the Japanese companies are in a cost savings mode right now. Anything they can do the get the cost down so as not to follow the American car companies into bankruptcy.

Nissan GOD

 

Mitsubishi right now is the only company that can be compared to Ford or GM as far as there financial problems are concerned, Toyota, Honda, Nissan or even Mazda are nowhere near the bad shape that Mitsubishi is in or the other mentioned makes. Its no revelation though that every car maker now is not taking as many risks with too many different platforms/drivetrain's like they used to. Nissan's Carlos Goesen(sp?) is looked at as the guy who saved Nissan from pretty much the same fate that GM is more or less facing right now in the 90s, alot of the other companies are taking cues from his leadership at Nissan.

 

Thanks for the info ill switch. Does this mean I will be able to lift the inside rear tire on the Fit as I could do on my VW's? Not great for cornering speed, but sure saves on tire wear .

IMO they used this configuration for its obvious space-saving. It's better to advertise all the interior room than high g's on the skidpad. I am sure you wizards will be able to turn it into a great handler, despite this minor disadvantage.

 

Hey, put sticky enough tires on it and ya never know. There's nothing quite as amusing as watching an old GTI go around an auto-x course lifting rear tires in every turn.