Sedans Outsold by SUVs and Crossovers for the First Time Ever

2015 Buck Encore (Credit: © General Motors)

Sedans have been the undisputed king of car sales for some time in the United States. Even when SUVs were super stylish, despite Americans’ obsession with having a pickup truck, the sedan has soldiered on as buyers have scooped up vehicles like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Ford Fusion in droves. Now that has suddenly changed as sedans were toppled from the top of automotive sales for the first part of 2014.

Analysis of IHS new vehicle registration data for January through May of 2014 reveals that 36.5 percent of all new vehicles registered in the United States were sport utility and crossover utility vehicles. Of course, sedans didn’t lose out by much, making up 35.4 percent of all sales. Third place went to pickup trucks, which made up 13.1 percent of all new registrations.

If you have been wondering lately why so many automakers are developing new SUVs and CUVs for the American market, wonder no more. Consumers are snatching up such vehicles like they are candy. Among the reasons for the shift is a demand for more cargo space and the promise of better driving in adverse weather conditions.

One factor that has contributed to the dominance of SUVs and CUVs are the growing crop of small crossovers. They provide the same overall maneuverability and a similar footprint as a sedan, yet they often have double the cargo space. Such CUVs also promise a more comfortable ride and increased occupant space. On top of that, some of the larger crossovers come with a pretty decent towing capacity and promise better fuel economy than a truck, luring away those that might have gone with a model like a Ford F-150, Ram 1500 or Chevy Silverado.