After The Crossover Craze Fades, What Will Be The Next Big Thing?

MAVs (manned areal vehicles)

Hey now, they've been promised since the Jetsons, still waiting on mine :)

aerial... can't spell.

Autonomously piloted, ducted redundant fan quad-copters buzzing over a busy city during rush hour, all perfectly safe! :)

Crossover pickups

El Camino? :)

Utes are tried and true in Oz, but for whatever reason never made it across the pond in any numbers. Subaru Baja and now the new Honda Ridgeline don't get any respect.

How about electric crossover pickups?

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1094509_worlds-first-nissan-leaf-electric-pickup-truck-for-shop-use-only

Had Nissan ever taken this seriously the LEAF would have been a huge success. Alas the execs didn't have the vision.

@ VDIV The Fiat Toro is the right idea. I really think a Cherokee pickup or a Renegade pickup would sell quite well.

I'll leave that up to the automakers to figure out, rather than speculating wildly from a position of ignorance.

Oh, come on, TheSteve, be adventurous! What could go wrong?! It's not as if there are any strong opinions or borderline personalities around here or anything...

How about double-decker mini-buses? Can't really grow current minivans or crossovers in width and length much so why not go up? Kids are used to climbing up on bunk beds and don't mind the swaying as much. They would love the high vantage view while the inlaws can lounge below and drink martinis.

Since the vast majority of new cars buyers (or should I just call a spade a spade and call the "New Car Lessors") cannot afford their vehicles in real terms...

Used cars are soon to be the next hot thing.

"New Car Lessees"

Used cars are already the Hot thing. As manufacturers reduce their use of rental fleets for excess production - the cost of Newer used cars rise - making it even harder for the average person - who already cannot afford a new car - to buy a god used one. ANd - since cars are lasting measurable longer as well - we have lots more cars on the road with over 200,000 miles and well over 10 years old. As a result - figure show that USED cars sell twice as often or more than new vehicles.


Actually - it depends on WHY the Crossover phase ends. IF it is as the result in a rapid (Maybe due to trouble in international relations) increase in the price of gasoline - then one would expect that it would result in a greater sale of smaller more efficient cars and maybe small Hatchback/station wagons.
But - eventually - buyers get older - and as the price of cars continues to increase - new cars will have older and older buyers - and THEY prefer larger cars - to other vehicles. THey don't need 4x4 because they don't actually drive in the raging snow - and they want something easier to get in and out of than larger Crossovers and SUVs are. THe smaller crossovers will survive in the northern areas though.

The crossover trend needs to die, but it will take another 10 years for it to run its course. Buying a ute/CUV with no space behind the rear seats boggles my mind. My 4Runner is neither modern or trendy but it is like Noah's Ark when it needs to be. There is lots of U in SUV at the mid and large end of the segement. The rest are just bubble cars with slightly raised suspension.

As far as what is next. I say wagons if gas prices go way up or are taxed to the point of pain/behavior change like in Europe. Wagons are a huge business there because they are practical without the downside of excess weight and poorer handling that a mid or large SUV has. A car with more room. Who knew?

A return to the horse drawn carriage and the golden age of travel.