The number is similar in Canada.
The last decade has seen trucks and SUVs go from about 50% of all sales to more than 80%.
There was a time not that long ago when SUVs were a trendy alternative to minivans and station wagons. Over the last 20 years, the number of available models has grown and in the last decade, not only are there more SUVs and trucks on offer, but cars are now on the endangered list. Only 1-in-5 new vehicles sold are cars now.
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback | Photo: Honda
There are numerous reasons why the auto industry is now in this position. SUVs were once considered premium vehicles and out of reach for many. Longer loan periods have lowered payments and made SUVs (and trucks) more “affordable.” As well, some automakers have all but completely abandoned cars.
The trendy SUV and CUV have steadily gone from novel to mainstream and, over time, replaced cars. Over at Ford, they’ve all but completely cut them out of their lineup. Volkswagen still sells the Jetta, but the Golf and Passat are no more. The Arteon won’t be around for very long and the GTI and Golf R are not volume models.
According to Jalopnik, the 80% mark (SUVs and trucks vs. cars) was reached, in the US, last October, and the industry is on pace to repeat the same split in January.
