One In Six Vehicles Purchased Last Month Was A Compact Crossover

America knows what it wants, and the rest of the world — even those hard-to-reach places — is beginning to follow. Each week brings us news from far-flung locales pointing to increased demand for affordable crossover vehicles, if not the wholesale abandonment of certain car segments by certain automakers. Basically, the global auto industry in 2018 boils down to this: build a crossover, or become (or remain) a struggling niche company.

It’s hardly a new situation, but it’s hammered home with each passing month — as cars continue trickling out of every parking lot you pass and trunks begin appear on “Missing” posters at the post office.

TomM - 9/14/2018 12:07:53 PM

+12 Boost

Back in the Energy Crisis of the 70's -= Small Station Wagons sold well because they offered accomodations for people - PLUS had enough stowage space for a trip to the Grocery as well. Today - the small crossover has simply replaced the Small station wagon - most of the crossovers do not even have 4 wheel drive. What is clear - people want interior space - and a crossover gives them that plus.

zlives - 9/14/2018 2:31:27 PM

+2 Boost

yup, econobox to the rescue.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/14/2018 12:52:54 PM

-5 Boost

Personally, I think this is all a case of the emperor's new clothes. There is very little extra space in a CUV. Even most curvy/cool SUV's have little space with the seats up. You need a box for real rear space. If 1/6 of sales (16%) are CUV's, 5/6 are not. While model lines and production may shift, cancelling new cars may prove to be a mistake for some manufacturers.

MDarringer - 9/14/2018 6:29:08 PM

+5 Boost

In fact, a crossover might actually have LESS cargo space than a sedan. @CC You need to do your math again 1/6th of sales to compact crossovers does not mean that 5/6ths are not to crossovers as you imply. How many are medium and large crossovers and that % changes quickly.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/14/2018 7:19:07 PM

-1 Boost

@MD Correct. Cars are about 37% of the US market and CUV's are 30%. I suspect the other chuck is pick up trucks of all sizes and a smattering of vans.

MDarringer - 9/14/2018 7:44:58 PM

+3 Boost

We've dialed back our orders of sedans for our stores quite a bit. I personally cannot wait for the Ranger and the Bronco to arrive. Both should represent big volume.

Vette71 - 9/14/2018 4:29:34 PM

+10 Boost

Moral. Lots of people want to sit up higher when they drive and see what is going on around them. Sedans and wagons don't do that.

MrEE - 9/14/2018 6:48:10 PM

-1 Boost

CUV demand is primarily due to "in" styling and secondarily the upright seating. Functionally, it fails to the modern car (handling, efficiency, safety, even 4 passenger plus cargo room).

MDarringer - 9/14/2018 7:53:49 PM

+3 Boost

And???

OneOfOne - 9/15/2018 9:31:48 AM

+1 Boost

any look around parking lots of anywhere popular would tell you this. sedans make little sense anymore if you live in an area that gets snow. apparently eveyrone else wants to be prepared to carry their stuff 'somewhere'