The Breakdown:
- Ralph Gilles, Stellantis’ design boss, said ‘the crossover craze is over’ and ‘a lot of people are asking for sedans.’
- Stellantis offers two sedans in the United States today: the Dodge Charger and Alfa Romeo Giulia.
- A new study reveals teens want to drive sedans more than crossovers or trucks.
Tired of crossovers and SUVs? Good news, the tide might be turning. According to Ralph Gilles, Stellantis’ chief design officer, more people are asking for sedans. And it’s about time.
In an interview with Car Design News (subscription required), Gilles said that he’s "fatigued" with SUVs and that, for him, "the SUV craze has kind of come and gone." Stellantis currently sells two sedans in the United States — the Dodge Charger and the Alfa Romeo Giulia. According to Gilles:
'A lot of people are asking for sedans. Young designers want hatchbacks like the GTI of the 1980s. They want a personal car that’s fun to drive and easy to park. It’s making us rethink different form factors.'
Despite the doom and gloom around sedans, there are still plenty of options for sale in the United States, especially in the premium and luxury segments. Affordable options are harder to find.
Another indication that the crossover craze might be coming to an end: teenagers. In a recent Escalent survey, 51 percent of teen respondents said they imagined themselves driving a sedan one day. That’s compared to 31 percent who believed they would opt for an SUV and 14 percent who wanted a truck.
Many teenagers today grew up in families that owned crossovers and SUVs, and, like generations before them, they don’t want to be like their parents, so the shift toward sedans makes sense. Station wagons and minivans faced similar backlash.
Motor1’s Take: We hope this new demand results in sedans people can actually afford. Crossovers and SUVs have dominated the market for decades, so it's not shocking that younger buyers want to be different.
Sources: Car Design News, Escalent via GM Authority
