The End: Conclusions.
For those having a hard time grasping all that they read, here’s a summary.
Summary for the Sedans of yore: Sedans used to be more popular because they had significant advantages over SUVs and Crossovers. They were better to drive, faster, more efficient, cheaper and less expensive.
Summary of when and why things changed: Things changed when automakers started to put more and more emphasis on wind tunnel usage. What I mean is they’d allow the wind tunnel to dictate more of the design of Sedans, making them more aerodynamic whilst hurting interior headroom in the rear. Add to this the advancements in CUVs (prices lowering, engines being more competitive, fuel economy becoming far greater than before, driving dynamics being as far better than before etc) and you have the perfect recipe for a paradigm shift in the market.
Summary on the current state of Toyota and Honda: The Camry, Corolla, Accord and Civic are what bring people into the dealership initially. After spending some time at the dealership, people end up leaving with whatever CUV Toyota and Honda have instead. This is bad for the Sedan segment. Because that segment is Toyota and Honda’s Bread and Butter. In order to bring some interest back into the segment, they’re trying to be more radical, Honda by making more exciting designs and Toyota with more involving (to drive) cars. Although, there has been news that Toyota is going to be more daring with their designs as well.
Summary of Dodge: While others are seeing some losses, Dodge is actually seeing gains. Outside of the buzz the H-Cat has created and the increase in marketing (more commercials), Dodge has a unique product in the marketplace that other automakers could only dream of an affordable, RWD, V8 family Sedan. This can be (and is in the right hands) a selling point for dealers and a point not to be taken lightly for buyers. This appeals in a world where most affordable cars are FWD or AWD. It’s a difference that’s relevant. One that’s prominent enough to make a fair few people pick a Charger over its CUV brethren.
Thanks for reading! Hope this sheds some light on the shift from Sedans to CUVs. If you have any comments, then do please tell me down below and I’ll get back to you. Hope you enjoyed the read.