It’s no secret passenger car sales continue to tumble in North America as the market continues its shift to crossovers, SUVs and trucks. But Chevrolet doesn’t plan to abandon the segment like crosstown rival Ford.
Steve Majoros, Chevrolet’s marketing director for cars and crossovers, told Automotive News in a Tuesday report that the brand will continue to invest in sedans. In fact, as rivals cull their sedan portfolio, Chevy sees an opportunity.
“As other people are making noise about leaving the car business or thrifting back their portfolio, there’s still business to be had there. It’s just going about the business in a smart fashion,” Majoros said. He added that Chevy plans to invest in nearly every sedan segment from sub-compact to full-size.
According to AN data, passenger cars represent 32 percent of the U.S. market in 2018, down from 46 percent in 2014. Majoros believes car sales have reached their peak low, and when they stabilize or rebound, Chevrolet has a full line of sedans ready to capitalize on the segment’s vacuum. He said the brand will gladly pick up rival business as Chevy takes a “responsible” approach to the product.
Comments
“Chevy plans to invest in nearly every sedan segment from sub-compact to full-size.”
Impala is safe for a while… Best news of the day!!
Haven’t heard anything of a refresh for the Impala. Last I saw was they were going to retire it. It needs a make over.
Been hearing that Malibu and Impala will be merged into one platform, with the Impala being on the LWB version. Hearing other rumors it may be a RWD platform but knowing GM I highly doubt it. More than likely a FWD/AWD setup with extensive lightweighting.
GREAT NEWS.
some people do want sedans
This is a great time for Chevrolet to really nail the details. Get things right! Minimize body roll, finely tune suspensions, increasing efficiency, boosting power. People will eventually flock back to sedans as oil prices rise. If Chevy nails the details, it’ll be a treasure box for consumers!
Put your money where your mouth is GM and give the Impala an MCE for 2020. I will keep buying them as long as you make them.
GM would be insane to quit sedans!
There is still a big “Buy American” segment of customers. In addition, Chevrolet looks at Toyota and VW as it’s global rivals, not nearly junk bond Ford.
Chevrolet needs to focus on interior quality with Malibu. FCA’s Chrysler 200 had a benchmark interior on its base models and Chevy must do the same.
A Malibu with an interior refresh could best Nissan Altima once Ford ends production. Malibu is a solid ride but then again I liked 200 and therefore clearly have no taste.
Ok so what happened between then and now? I guess you just can’t trust what GM says. Buying a vehicle is a major expense and if the company you are interested in buying from give you mixed signals the you might want to shop elsewhere. Wonder if GM gave that a through?
Funny to read this now that GM has announced it’s not only dropping all their sedans, but closing half their factories! Once again, giving up sales and capacity that they’ll need when gas goes back up to five dollars as it inevitably will. Remember when they dropped the Caprice and gave away the huge cop and cab market to Ford? How about when they dropped the Kodiak line? At least they are bringing back the heavier truck line, but will people go back to GM from what they’ve been buying for the last ten years?
at this rate what country will demented MARY ask for assistance when GM goes belly up . My thought china