Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Cars Might Be Making a Comeback in an SUV-Dominated Market
Jalopnik ^ | 05-01-2023 | By Andy Kalmowitz

Posted on 05/01/2023 4:40:50 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd

It isn’t quite a comeback yet, but things may actually be looking up for car sales. A new report from Automotive News shows that cars have held — and even won back — some market share in the U.S. that has been held by bigger vehicles. Before we go any further, when I say “cars,” I’m talking about sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks and sports cars, all of which tend to be cheaper than their SUV counterparts (that’s important).

The outlet says those types of vehicles have been dropping from brands’ lineups for years now in favor of crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks, but things are sort of looking up! In the first quarter of 2023, cars represented 21.4 percent of the 3.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. The Auto News Research & Data Center says that is up from a low of 19.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021.

That might not sound like too much… because it isn’t. But, it is still absolutely noteworthy. Cars’ share of the market has been on a steady decline in the U.S. since 2002, according to the outlet. That’s when cars were first outsold by light trucks. The pace has only been picking up since then as the Detroit Big Three began leaving the car segment altogether. All of this begs the question: will this incremental gain continue, or is it just a one time thing?

(Excerpt) Read more at jalopnik.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: automotive; cars; suv
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 last
To: BobL

I like something that can carry cargo and still be comfortable. Modern pickup trucks are miniatures of the real thing. I can carry 4X8 sheets of plywood in my Odyssey.


41 posted on 05/02/2023 4:57:18 AM PDT by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

I drive a four-door car, my wife drives an SUV. I see a lot of that dynamic where I live.


42 posted on 05/02/2023 5:00:23 AM PDT by thefactor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GingisK

“I like something that can carry cargo and still be comfortable. Modern pickup trucks are miniatures of the real thing. I can carry 4X8 sheets of plywood in my Odyssey.”

I’ve been in a few mini-vans, very nice! If it wasn’t for their soccer-mom reputation, people would be snapping them up left and right (at least in red areas).


43 posted on 05/02/2023 5:14:52 AM PDT by BobL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: BobL

I simply don’t worry about what other people think. Most actually don’t.


44 posted on 05/02/2023 5:31:28 AM PDT by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: GingisK

“I simply don’t worry about what other people think. Most actually don’t.”

Not where I live...


45 posted on 05/02/2023 5:47:03 AM PDT by BobL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Bonemaker; CommerceComet

And about half the four-door sedans are white where I live.


46 posted on 05/02/2023 6:30:34 AM PDT by Will88 ((The only people opposing voter ID are those benefiting from voter fraud.))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: Will88
And about half the four-door sedans are white where I live.

And around here about half the minivans are silver gray.

47 posted on 05/02/2023 6:36:17 AM PDT by CommerceComet ("You know why there's a Second Amendment? In case, the government forgets the first." Rush Limbaugh )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

I had sports cars for years and they were fun. Now I only like SUVs.


48 posted on 05/02/2023 6:41:44 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

That’s why people buy SUV’s. For the height.

And safety SUV rams into car SUV left over

Car rams SUV and SUV left over

Easy math and less hospital bills and a more comfortable ride


49 posted on 05/02/2023 9:37:24 AM PDT by Vaduz (....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

I am looking for another beater truck to haul hay, wood, etc. Doesn’t even need a bed in it, I can set that in place.

For me, cars have their place. Just traded in a M-B C300 with low miles and picked up an A220. Smaller for sure, but more in line with what I like to use for road trips. And the newer C300’s don’t have that great sound when you close a door. My ‘14 C300 is solid. The newer C300’s don’t have that solid feeling as they shed weight to meet mileage goals.

Just need to swap out the MOE tires - so darn noisy!


50 posted on 05/02/2023 4:19:26 PM PDT by Fury
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Too many cars look like computer mice.
I have a 2016 Honda Accord Sport. At least it has some chrome....


51 posted on 05/02/2023 5:08:18 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (Need more money to buy everything now)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BobL

Think, or care? My meaning was that most don’t think. I don’t care about what is on their, um, minds.


52 posted on 05/02/2023 6:36:03 PM PDT by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd
I think we need to make station wagons again, I remember my aunt and uncle had a 1965 or 66 Ford that looked like this:



or even if we bumped it into the 1980's, like this 1983 Mercury GRand Marquis Station Wagon:



The 1980 T-Bird is one of my dream cars


53 posted on 05/02/2023 7:26:25 PM PDT by MrLucky1966 (GOVT.SYS CORRUPTED! RUN GUN.COM? (Y/Y) GUN.COM NOT FOUND, EXECUTE BASEBALL.BAT? (Y/Y))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-53 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson