Cruising ahead
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) first outsold traditional cars in the United States in 2015, according to automotive analysts. And their popularity doesn't look to be fading anytime soon.
Thomas Bertram, general manager for Ellis Automotive, Lyndora, said the appeal of SUVs is simple.
“They're still sporty, but they are great for families.”
Bertram added the demand for SUVs has been constant for the past 10 to 15 years, and his dealership has been selling quite a few, outpacing the sales of traditional sedans and coupes.
Corey Pytel, sales manager of Volkswagen and Mitsubishi vehicles at Diehl Automotive of Butler, said Dodge discontinued making compact cars altogether, relying on Fiat to supply vehicles for that market.
And Volkswagen is planning to introduce the Taos compact SUV for the 2022 model year in the $25,000 price range.
Jim Ellis, owner of Ellis Automotive, said an SUV is a bigger, more versatile vehicle, with its third-row seating that provides plenty of room.“People don't want to be in a minivan,” Ellis said. “We sell less of them now. Soccer moms don't want minivans.“With an SUV, they can haul the family around.”GM and Ford don't even make minivans anymore, Ellis said. Chrysler is the only American carmaker still manufacturing the model.SUVs have quickly filled the niche.“I think the space is the No. 1 reason,” Ellis said of the SUVs' popularity.“And four-wheel drive availability is perfect for our region of the country,” he said.Pytel agreed the roominess and four-wheel drive of SUVs was a major selling point.“They appeal mainly to families,” Pytel said. “They are fitting their families, sports equipment, strollers and baby stuff into them.“And in Pennsylvania, four-wheel drive helps with the terrain and the snow,” he said.People just feel safer in a bigger vehicle, he added.
Ellis said additional features customers are asking for in an SUV include backup cameras, navigation and bluetooth capabilities, and the seven-passenger seating provided by an SUV's third row.“People are asking, 'How did we make it so long without a backup camera?'” Ellis said.Ellis said he believes that backup cameras are going to be mandated as standard equipment on 2021-2022 vehicles.“People love the heated seats,” Ellis added.Bertram said an overlooked advantage of owning an SUV is its ease of accessibility.“It's got a higher ground clearance,” he said. “They are easier to get in and out of. They don't have to squat down as they do to get in and out of a car.”As to the most popular SUVs that Ellis Automotive sells, Ellis said it is generally the foreign-made SUVs: Hyundais, Kias and Toyotas.Customers for SUVs range from first-time car buyers to couples in their 70s.Jack Rial, Diehl sales manager for Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge, said SUVs make a great purchase for first-time car buyers.They feel safe in a larger vehicle equipped with safety features, including blind-spot monitors and backup cameras.Jeep has attempted to capture this huge market, with models such as its Jeep Compass and Jeep Renegade, a subcompact crossover.Those seeking a larger vehicle have their options in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.Rial said the Jeep Grand Wagoneer is designed to appeal to the luxury SUV market.It's a trend that doesn't appear likely to end any time soon.“We've been selling less and less cars and more and more SUVs,” Ellis said. “They are definitely outselling cars two-to-one or three-to-one.”
