[forgetsusername]

>would the car manufacturers be able to offer lower-cost models that would be bought every 3/4 years.

I think people buying new cars every 3 or 4 years is already the status quo, regardless of cost. That's the average lease/finance period (though financing duration is increasing).

[bsder]

> I think people buying new cars every 3 or 4 years is already the status quo, regardless of cost. That's the average lease/finance period (though financing duration is increasing).

Not where I come from. Most of the folks I know are sitting on 8+ year old cars.

Leasing is useless in the US at this point because you are on the hook for the full price of the car if you get in an accident and total it.