Detroit, Michigan – They used to call it the Detroit car show, but that label hardly fits anymore. Nearly every major launch Monday at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) was a truck, sport utility vehicle, or crossover.
Looking at sales numbers from the past year, the reason is clear. The industry has moved from a 50/50 split between cars and light trucks in 2011 to about 66% trucks, 33% cars last year. Small and mid-sized crossovers are the hottest segment in the industry, so companies are rushing as many of those as they can to market.
Notable launches Monday included:
- Lexus LF1 Limitless. Lexus’ LX series crossovers effectively created the market for luxury people movers. The LF1 adds a bit of drama to that. The concept car’s exaggerated body panels give the impression that future Lexus crossovers will have more stylistic designs with wider wheel flares and dynamic fenders.
- Ram 1500. Here’s a word I never thought I’d associate with FCA US LLC’s truck brand – subtle. The 2019 version of the company’s pickup line carries a less-exaggerated grille than previous versions, and may of the truck’s upgrades are more about refinement than pushing new ground. Designers upped the bed capacity by raising the walls, they improved fuel economy with a hybrid 8-speed transmission, and they expanded interior space by stretching cab dimensions. Nothing radically different, just a long line of subtle improvements.
- BMW X2. X-series crossovers have made BMW a net exporter of vehicles from the United States as the company’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, facility cranks out as many as can be produced. The X2 small crossover extends that line, pushing the boundaries between what is a large hatchback vs. a small crossover. BMW officials hope the small new model will bring in younger buyers seeking a lower price point than can be found on X5 crossovers.
- Nissan Xmotion Concept. Far from production ready, Nissan’s concept for a three-row, six-seat vehicle is more of an exercise in design than a hint at future vehicles. With the Rogue small crossover rapidly becoming one of the country’s most popular vehicles, Nissan doesn’t have a huge incentive to reinvent a wheel that’s already rolling quite well. With suicide doors, wooden interior features, and wheels that would look at home on a Tonka truck, the Xmotion is not likely to be in a showroom any time soon.
- Acura RDX Concept (pictured). A version of the car that goes on sale in a few months, Honda hopes the RDX Concept will generate excitement for the new vehicle. Small crossovers are selling extremely well these days, and the second-generation RDX is showing its age. The new version has much more dynamic styling with curved body panels that give the crossover a crouching stance. Designers say they did everything they could to highlight the vehicle’s dynamic look, including angling the exterior door panels slightly to match the curves in the body panels.
- Kia Forte. One of the few cars on display, the company’s compact line is updated and fresher looking, but with sales of compact cars down double digits throughout the industry, the Forte is unlikely to slow Kia’s ongoing sales skid.
- Toyota Avalon. Nicknamed the Toyota Buick for decades by people who say Toyota’s larger car is simply a comfy boat for old people, the redesigned Avalon does not come at a good time. Full-sized cars are not falling out of favor as quickly as compacts, but they’re not generating much excitement either. The new model features some design flair, but this is still a large car, so it’s not likely to lower the Avalon’s image as a vehicle designed for the geriatric.
About the author: Robert Schoenberger is the editor of Today’s Motor Vehicles and a contributor to Today’s Medical Developments and Aerospace Manufacturing and Design. He has written about the automotive industry for more than 17 years at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio; The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky; and The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi.