NADA economist: CUVs still hot, mileage a smaller concern

NADA economist: CUVs still hot, mileage a smaller concern

Crossovers are still the most popular light vehicles, although automakers trumpeted new small and midsized car designs at recent auto shows, including The Washington Auto Show. Thats the word from NADA Industry Analysis in a late-February Economic Update.

NADA Industry Analysis believes it will take gasoline above $4.50 per gallon before there is a sales surge on small cars that causes their market share to eclipse the share of each of the other two popular classes, CUVs and midsized cars, that households believe meet their expectations fully for the range of household activity, writes NADA chief economist Paul Taylor. Consumers want vehicles that can carry several passengers on activities such as a family vacation, with reasonable mileage.