Cars.com Predicts Strong Sales within Small SUV Category this Spring

CHICAGO, March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite the changing seasons, vehicle popularity in the United States has remained largely consistent over the past two years, dominated by light trucks and mid-sized sedans. Cars.com, the leading online resource for buying and selling new and used cars and a comprehensive digital marketing resource for car dealerships and manufacturers, predicts the rapidly growing small SUV segment will shift make/model sales rankings in 2014.

"The growth of the small SUV segment is undeniable and it's extremely likely that the future lists – starting this spring – will include more small SUVs as well as higher rankings for the existing ones. Models such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue now appeal to a much wider consumer base due to their functional nature, affordable price points and low cost of ownership," said Jesse Toprak, chief analyst for Cars.com.

In February, the small SUV segment reached a record 18 percent market share. The segment is up from 15 percent in February 2013 with no slowdown in sales on the horizon, according to Toprak. 

On a regional level, spring 2012 and 2013 purchases were distributed evenly throughout the country, with the Ford F-Series and Honda Accord holding top ranks. The growing presence of the small SUV segment is most apparent in the Mid Atlantic, with the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Nissan Rogue all claiming positions in the top 10.  Strong growth is seen in the Southwest, South and West with the Honda CR-V quickly rising in the ranks in spring 2013 over 2012.

Source: Polk

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Cars.com is an award-winning online destination for car shoppers that offers information from consumers and experts to help buyers formulate opinions on what to buy, where to buy and how much to pay for a car. Cars.com offers thousands of new and used vehicle listings, consumer reviews, side-by-side comparison tools, photo galleries, videos, unbiased editorial content and many other tools to take the drama out of car shopping. Cars.com puts millions of car buyers in control of their shopping process with the information they need to make confident buying decisions. Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures LLC, which is owned by leading media companies, including A.H. Belo (NYSE: AHC), Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI), Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO).

SOURCE Cars.com