“As the saying goes, too much of a good thing can be bad for you.”

Tonight’s post is the culmination of a week of thinking.

It started like this. My Focus, which even in its 14th month of ownership is unashamedly brilliant, is the saloon version of the car. I know that if the mood had taken me, I could also have opted for a traditional hatchback version, or even an estate Model of the same car. Three different looking vehicles then, but all essentially the same.

This got me thinking – how many versions of the same car can be commercially available, and how many versions do we really need?

I proposed the question to Twitter, and the answers I got back were very enlightening.

Rob Griggs-Taylor Suggested that the Ford Sierra – which was available in 3dr, 4dr, 5dr, estate and XR4i versions  – was a serious contender. Simon Ford also selected Mazda’s 121, which was slightly more standard in only supplying three Body Styles. Other models suggested included Volvo’s seven series, the Toyota Corolla and Mazda’s 323 series – which came in six different body styles including an Ute version sold in South Africa.

Kevin Johnston, WaynesAutoWorld, Martin Phillips and Martin Plewes also suggested numerous models that over-supply the market with choice.

However it was motoring writer Keith Jones who suggested the final winners in the form of the Mk2 Astra and Mk3 Escort, which between them share nine different body styles. Nine. That’s including two van versions as well.

The cars were very popular too, though not for reasons you might think entirely obvious. The Mk2 Astra was one of the most stolen vehicles in 2005 according to the Home Office.

In more modern times car makers have dialled down the choice a little, but we’re still left with an astounding number of vehicles to choose from. Of course once you’ve chosen a body style you then need to choose an engine and trim level, and in some cases a wheelbase length too. Small wonder then that for the uninitiated the simple act of buying a car can become very daunting.

And here’s my point – do we really need this level of choice?

I think not, and I think the entire motoring market could be made a lot simpler for customers by getting rid of a few models. Do we really need three different body styles for my Focus, for example? No. I’d quite happily live with the hatch and if I needed anything bigger I’d go for the Mondeo. The same can be said for other examples, does Audi’s A3 still need to be here when the A1 does essentially the same job? What about the Q5 and Q7?

There is a certain degree of redundancy built into motoring. Once a new car comes along that fits in between two existing market sectors, it can negate one or both of them entirely. And while it may be flattering to be able to personalise your new car to whatever lifestyle you may lead, it isn’t entirely necessary.

As the saying goes, too much of a good thing can be bad for you.