Sedan Sales Have Plunged From 55% Of The Market To Under 40% In Less Than 10 Years

Plunged? 15 points decline across 10 years, is "plunged"? I consider that a slow and consistent decline. And as far as I can see, most manufacturers have gradually adapted to the new realities rather nicely, thank you. The new preferred form factor is called the SUV or crossover. Sporty BMW, outrights sports Porsche, and luxurious Mercedes have got on that boat! Even super-luxury Bentley is on-board!

No scary plunge panic here. Just a gradual evolution is in play.

-Steve*

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*Who drove only motorcycles, coupes, and convertibles all his life, and now drives a mid-sized sporty SUV... and loves it.

This is an evolution of the market that will continue. Crossovers have eliminated much of the handling and fuel economy penalties of the original SUVs. Crossovers are simply a more comfortable (higher seating position) and practical (cargo capability) alternative to the family Sedan.

Call me traditionalist or conservative but I will always love a clearly defined sedan (a three-box configuration with A, B, and C pillars) so this is painful for me to watch.

This represents a decline of about 2.6 million passenger cars in that time frame (total US sales 2002 were 17.2million and 2016 were 18.4million).

I think vehicles such as the X1, GLA, and QX30 should be classified as passenger cars.

I own 3 CUV's (wife and 2 daughters drive these) and 1 sedan (my daily driver). While I do love my sedan, I'm very aware everyday that all the vehicles around me are taller and my forward visibility is generally restricted to the back of the car in front of me.... If a small CUV can perform like a sports car I would consider a switch. If they can get the kinks out of the Alfa software and prove reliablity, I'd think about a Stelvio QF.

Just get a Porsche Macan.

Thanks Matt, yes the Macan Turbo is an option too.

The Macan will have infinitely better build quality and far better reliability. Not to mention that it will hold its value better.

I would never spend my money on a Macan. Way too much for what you actually get. I would likely pivot and buy a demo Cayenne or an off-lease unit. Just not enough space in a Macan to be a practical vehicle.

Buying a Stelvio would also be spending too much money for what you get. LOL But if burning money is a person's goal then that person will be happier minus the Stelvio.

The number of separate crossover models will plunge too at some point as the saturated saturation point becomes even more saturated with saturation.

I cannot wait to see the Audi Q3.5, Q4.5, Q5.5...

While people say that Station Wagons have "plunged" too- the reality is that crossovers are simply raised Station Wagons. And there are still very few that can do what the full size station wagon of the past could - ie - carry a 4x8 sheet of plywood flat on the floor with the seats down. What people like is the upright position and the added space for passengers and cargo that the crossover gives - and the station wagon is the basis for that. With a gaggle of kids - and now great grandkids - I always had some type of station wagon around - a 3 seat one - and now have a Mini-van - which is the real replacement for the big station wagon. For the most part - the smaller CUVs and the MiniVANS handle far better than they once did - and real people do not reach driving limits as often as the magazines would make it seem.

Most things run in cycles - before 1970- small cars were not sold in significant numbers until a Oil Embargo sent gas prices through the roof - and the resulting sales of smaller cars took the market. Todays success of the SUVs and the like is simply the result of low (relatively) gas prices - while some of them actually get reasonable mileage too. Take away the gas prices - and the small car market will again take over. (But it will be a while).