My theory:
Large cars were emasculated (they don’t exist, really).
REAL station wagons were eliminated (only the last couple years a few).
All by the enviroMENTALS.
People needed something for their families. (Incidentally, the Safety NAZIs also took over - usually the same people - and said you need baby/toddler/pre-teen seats, which are THESE DAYS of increasing paranoia HUGE and difficult to handle.) They needed to be able to fit their families in AS WELL AS groceries, and full luggage for vacation time.
So they turned to minivans and their the offspring of that plus the tiny-truck craze of the ‘80s, the SUV. Trucks don’t have quite the same requirements as “cars”, either, so SUVs were Big Auto solution to the families’ needs since the big cars were taken away.
I love big cars.
I love the old cars (as you know from the Belvedere thread).
I wish I had an old Dodge Dart. Not too big, but had a good sized back seat. My brother had a ‘72 and I loved it. Then I put down a deposit on one when I was in my early 20s and by the time I got my dad to take me back to get it the guy had sold it out from under me.
I love my old Bug...I just wish I had a Dodge Dart. Preferably one that runs. Heh!