Trend toward Trucks and SUVs

[obob]

I didn't realize the magnitude of this trend.  

 

"As we have said, by 2020 trucks and utilities – including their electrified versions -- are going to be almost 90 percent of our volume," a Ford spokesperson told CNBC.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/04/gm-will-kill-the-chevrolet-sonic-wsj-reports-citing-sources.html

 

 

[SnowStorm]

That title sounds a bit funny - almost like their's collusion going on.  "I'll kill my my sedan if you kill yours!"

 

Other possible factors inflating truck/SUV popularity besides the ride height, flexible storage and 4-wheel drive:

• More passenger room generally
• Easier entry exit (even if its a step up - better than pulling oneself up out of a sedan after banging your head on the way in!)
• Can replace several vehicles; sedan for commute, minivan for trips with kids, truck for hauling/towing, 4-wheel drive for snow, etc.
• Americans are becoming less caught up with being "stylish" in favor of more practicality.

The above comments can apply to trucks too in their extended cab versions.

[NRGTi]

Great, but here's some problems with that. Trucks, SUVs and CUV's (I just call 'em "Jumbos") are: 

- Heavier, so less fuel-efficient

- Have higher centers of gravity, so are less nimble and more prone to rollover

- Ride worse, because the high seat position magnifies lateral head toss on poor roads

- Harder to load with heavy items, pets, etc.

- Encouraging speeding, since sitting taller makes it feel like you're going slower. (Go-karts feel faster for the opposite reason.)

 

Our household used to have a VW Tiguan and a GTI. Our Tiguan suffered from every one of those flaws. The only tim I was glad to be in it was on a sketchy, steep dirt road, or a snow-covered hill. Outside those situations, the lower car was better. But most cars did get too low in years past. My C-Max is one of the few I've found available where I nether have to plop down or clamber up to the seat. 

[obob]

I mentioned this to a friend who is a Ford stockholder.  His response implied SUVs and Trucks may already provide close to 90% of the profits.

[Bill-N]

Only Mustang, Focus crossover to survive Ford car cuts

 

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2018/04/25/ford-cutting-car-lineup-earnings/34244867/

[raadsel]

I have to wonder what will happen when gas prices go back up.

[djc]

SUVs tend to be  boxy, tall (65" and up), and have raised ground clearance.  Much like this popular Ford model:

 

 

The 1949 Ford wagon was the most expensive vehicle (and maybe most profitable) in Ford's offerings that year.  It had dimensions similar to many current SUVs.  It was 67" tall, 72" wide on a 114" wheelbase, and weighed a little under 4000 lbs.  By the 1960s station wagons were substantially lowered, with much less ground clearance, and they wallowed on soft suspensions.  So I am thinking the recent shift to SUVs is, more or less, a return to the original mid-century station wagon layout, with modern drive trains and suspensions.

[jestevens]

I'm getting tons of online ads for the EcoSport, which looks suspiciously like a C-MAX, but has a moonroof rather than panoramic glass and I figure probably only gets around 25MPG.

[markd]

I test drove one and thought that it's a lot smaller inside, absolutely no leg room in back and it's rated 29 hwy.

[raadsel]

I test drove one and thought that it's a lot smaller inside, absolutely no leg room in back and it's rated 29 hwy.

 

The EcoSport is a subcompact, so in a smaller class than the C-Max. Worse, as far as that class of SUVs, the EcoSport doesn't seem to measure up to it's competition (Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, Hyundai Kona being better rated).