Table of Contents
Executive Summary
-
- The market
-
- Figure 1: US fan chart forecast of new compact car and crossover sales, 2008-18
-
- Figure 2: US fan chart forecast of new compact crossover sales, 2008-18
- Market factors
- High fuel prices shift consumer purchasing preferences toward smaller cars and crossovers
-
- Figure 3: All grades all formulations retail gasoline prices, dollars per gallon, 1993-2014
- Increased urbanization could spur demand for compact cars and crossovers
-
- Figure 4: US city and suburb growth, 2000-12
- Increasing educational debt could impact Millennials and their ability to obtain a compact car and crossover
-
- Figure 5: Student loans, total outstanding debt, 2003-13
- Key players
-
- Figure 6: Compact car and compact crossover manufacturers, by market share, November 2013-year to date
- The consumer
- 45% of vehicle purchasers considering a compact car and/or crossover
-
- Figure 7: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, November 2013
- Women more likely to consider a compact crossover, men more likely to consider a two-seater roadster
-
- Figure 8: Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover, by gender, November 2013
- Compact vehicle intenders seem more budget conscious
-
- Figure 9: Considerations when selecting compact cars and/or crossovers, by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
- Number one reason for not considering the purchase of a small vehicle is due to lifestyle conflicts
-
- Figure 10: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, November 2013
- Majority of small vehicle intenders interested in a car that gets more than 30 mpg
-
- Figure 11: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, November 2013
- What we think
Issues and Insights
-
- How to court more Millennials into buying new compact cars and crossovers in spite of growing college debts and increased urbanization?
- Issues
- Insights
- How to cater small vehicles to a growing group of Baby Boomer purchasers without alienating Millennials?
- Issues
- Insights
- How to better cater to the burgeoning Hispanic car buying community?
- Issues
- Insights
Trend Applications
-
- Inspire Trend: Rebirth of Cities
- Inspire Trend: Patriot Games
- Mintel Futures: Brand Intervention
Market Size and Forecast
-
- Key points
- Compact cars and crossovers reached an estimated 5. 4 million deliveries for 2013, expected to surpass 6 million by 2015
-
- Figure 12: US unit sales and forecast of new compact cars and crossovers, 2008-18
-
- Figure 13: Sales of compact cars and crossovers as a share of total new vehicle sales, 2008-18
- Compact crossover sales expected to outpace compact car sales
-
- Figure 14: US unit sales of compact cars, 2008-18
- Figure 15: US unit sales of compact crossovers, 2008-13
- Fan chart forecast
-
- Figure 16: US fan chart forecast of new compact car and crossover sales, 2008-18
- Figure 17: US fan chart forecast of new compact car sales, 2008-18
-
- Figure 18: US fan chart forecast of new compact crossover sales, 2008-18
Market Drivers
-
- Key points
- High fuel prices shift consumer purchasing preferences toward smaller cars and crossovers
-
- Figure 19: All grades all formulations retail gasoline prices, dollars per gallon, 1993-2014
-
- Figure 20: Gasoline regular grade retail price including taxes US average dollars per gallon, 2012-14 (forecast)
- Increased urbanization could spur demand for compact cars and crossovers
-
- Figure 21: US city versus suburb growth, 2000-12
-
- Figure 22: Most often form of transit used for work commute, by metro area, 2009
- New fuel economy standards could encourage growth in the compact vehicle arena
-
- Figure 23: Projections of new and existing light vehicle fleet fuel efficiency, 2012-40
- Aging US vehicle fleet provides challenges for compact car and crossover sales growth
-
- Figure 24: Average age of cars, light trucks, and total light vehicles, 2002-13
- American drivers continue to drive fewer miles than peak period, weakening consumer demand
-
- Figure 25: Vehicle miles traveled per licensed driver, 1970-2040
- Increasing educational debt could impact Millennials and their ability to obtain vehicle financing for compact cars and crossovers
-
- Figure 26: Student loans, total outstanding debt, 2003-13
Segment Performance
-
- Key points
- Subcompact crossovers, mini compacts see triple-digit growth
-
- Figure 27: US unit sales of compact cars and crossovers, by segment, 2011 and 2013
- Figure 28: US unit sales of compact cars and crossovers, by segment, 2008-13
- Figure 29: US unit sales of compact cars and crossovers, by segment, 2008-13 (continued)
- Luxury compacts increase as a percentage of total compact sales
-
- Figure 30: US unit sales of compact cars and crossovers, mainstream versus luxury segments, 2008-13
Manufacturer Profiles
-
- Key points
- No dominant player in the compact car and crossover segment
-
- Figure 31: Largest compact car and compact crossover manufacturers, by market share, November 2013-year to date
- American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 32: Honda unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
- Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 33: Toyota unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
- Environmentalism
- Ford Motor Company
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 34: Ford unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
- General Motors Company
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 35: General Motors unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
-
- Figure 36: General Motors market share and unit sales, 2002-12
- Service and parts
- Nissan North America Inc.
- Overview
- Sales, service, and market share
-
- Figure 37: Nissan unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Hyundai Motor America
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 38: Hyundai unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
- Volkswagen Group of America
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 39: Volkswagen unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
- Kia Motors America Inc.
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 40: Kia unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
- Chrysler Group LLC
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 41: Chrysler unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
- Subaru of America Inc.
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 42: Subaru unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
- BMW of North America Inc.
- Overview
- Sales and market share
-
- Figure 43: BMW unit sales and market share in the compact car and crossover segment, by nameplate, 2008-13-YTD
- Featured products
- Service and parts
Innovations and Innovators
-
- Luxury carmakers dive into compact car arena
- Subcompact crossovers try to appeal to Millennials and empty nesters
- Entry-level offerings broaden in 2014
Marketing Strategies
-
- Overview of the brand landscape
- Strategy: Stress fuel efficiency
-
- Figure 44: 2013 Ford Focus “And is better,” July 2013
-
- Figure 45: 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek “Save Some,” March 2013
- Figure 46: 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage “Big Night Out,” November 2013
-
- Figure 47: 2013 Dodge Dart “All Day,” September 2013
- Strategy: Ability to maneuver in the city
-
- Figure 48: 2014 Nissan rogue “Commute,” December 2013
- Figure 49: 2013 smart electric drive “Offroading,” August 2013
-
- Figure 50: Peyton Manning | Buick Verano | "Parallel Park," February 2014
- Strategy: Emphasize safety
-
- Figure 51: 2013 Chevrolet Cruze “10 standard airbags,” June 2013
-
- Figure 52: Smart “High strength steel cage,” December 2013
- Strategy: Capitalize on well-established nameplate with product segmentation
Characteristics of Compact Car and/or Crossover Owners
-
- Key points
- Vehicle ownership
- Number of vehicles owned in household
- Owners of compact cars and/or crossovers more likely to own more than one vehicle
-
- Figure 53: Number of vehicles owned, by household, November 2013
- Over three quarters of $50K+ households who own a compact car/crossover own more than one vehicle
-
- Figure 54: Number of vehicles owned, by household, by those who own a compact car and/or crossover, by household income, November 2013
- No significant difference between Millennials and Baby Boomers and number of vehicles owned
-
- Figure 55: Number of vehicles owned by household, by those who own a compact car and/or crossover, by generations, November 2013
- Vehicle body styles owned
- Those considering another compact car and/or crossover more likely to currently own one
-
- Figure 56: Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, November 2013
- Millennials far more likely to own compact cars than other generations
-
- Figure 57: Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, by generations, November 2013
- Compact crossover owners and compact car owners appear to be distinctive groups
-
- Figure 58: Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
- Compact cars more likely to be owned by heavy drivers
-
- Figure 59: Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, by miles personally driven annually, November 2013
- Vehicle purchase
- Cost of most recently acquired vehicle
- Majority spent less than $30,000 on their last vehicle purchase
-
- Figure 60: Cost of most recently acquired vehicle November 2013
- Compact crossover owners spent more on last vehicle purchase when compared to compact car owners
-
- Figure 61: Cost of most recently acquired vehicle, by vehicles owned by household, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
- New car purchasers spent more on their last vehicle purchase
-
- Figure 62: Cost of most recently acquired vehicle, by purchase intent – New, used, CPO, November 2013
- Vehicle last purchased by new, used, or CPO
- Majority of respondents purchased latest vehicle new
-
- Figure 63: Vehicle last purchased by new, used, or CPO, November 2013
- Compact crossover owners more likely to purchase latest vehicle new
-
- Figure 64: Vehicle last purchased by new, used, or CPO, by vehicles owned by household, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
- Heavy drivers are more likely to have purchased their last vehicle new
-
- Figure 65: Vehicle last purchased by new, used, or CPO, by miles personally driven annually, November 2013
- Vehicle and other transport usage
- Miles personally driven annually
- Majority of house vehicle owners drive more than 8,000 miles a year
-
- Figure 66: Miles personally driven annually, November 2013
- Little difference between miles driven and compact car and/or crossover ownership
-
- Figure 67: Miles personally driven annually, by vehicles owned by household by compact car versus compact crossover owners,, November 2013
- Vehicle usage/activity
- Compact crossover owners use their vehicles more for family and friend activities
-
- Figure 68: Vehicle usage/activity, by purchase intent, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
- Other travel methods, besides automobile
- Compact car and/or crossover owners more likely to use public transit
-
- Figure 69: Other travel methods, besides automobile, by compact car and/or crossover owners, November 2013
- Millennial compact car and crossover owners much more likely to use public transit, walk, and bike
-
- Figure 70: Other travel methods, besides automobile, by compact car and/or crossover owners, by generations, November 2013
- Future vehicle plans
- Little difference between purchase intent and compact car and/or crossover ownership
-
- Figure 71: Intent to purchase a vehicle in the next three years, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
- Compact crossover owners more likely to want new vehicle for better fuel economy
-
- Figure 72: Reasons for purchasing another vehicle, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
- Compact crossover owners appear to be more loyal, care more about accommodating family members
-
- Figure 73: Considerations when selecting compact cars and/or crossovers, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
Characteristics of Compact Car and Crossover Intenders
-
- Key points
- Vehicle ownership – Compact crossover intenders more likely to own SUV
-
- Figure 74: Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
- Vehicle purchase – Compact crossover intenders spent more on last vehicle purchase
-
- Figure 75: Cost of most recently acquired vehicle, by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
- Vehicle usage – Compact car and crossover intenders heavier travelers
-
- Figure 76: Miles personally driven annually, by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
- Future vehicle plans
- Compact crossover intenders more likely to use their car in activities involving family and friends
-
- Figure 77: Vehicle usage/activity, by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
- Very little difference on when next vehicle will be purchased by compact car and crossover intenders
-
- Figure 78: Approximately when will the next vehicle be purchased by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
- Compact car and crossover intenders want a new vehicle to get better fuel economy
-
- Figure 79: Reasons for purchasing another vehicle, by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
- Compact vehicle intenders seem more budget conscious
-
- Figure 80: Considerations when selecting compact cars and/or crossovers, by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
Purchase Intent of Compact Cars and Crossovers
-
- Key points
- 45% of vehicle purchasers considering a compact car and/or crossover
-
- Figure 81: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, November 2013
- Women far more interested in compact crossovers when compared to men
-
- Figure 82: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, by gender, November 2013
- Millennials show strong interest in compacts and crossovers
-
- Figure 83: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, by generations, November 2013
- Compact cars appear to cater more to less wealthy households
-
- Figure 84: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, by household income, November 2013
- Little overlap between those who intend to buy compact cars and those who intend to buy compact crossovers
-
- Figure 85: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, cross-tabulation, November 2013
- Small vehicle owners more likely to purchase another small car
-
- Figure 86: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, by vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, November 2013
- Used car intenders slightly more inclined to purchase compact cars and crossovers
-
- Figure 87: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, by purchase intent – New, used, CPO, November 2013
- A majority of those that use public transit frequently are planning to buy a compact car and/or crossover
-
- Figure 88: Type of vehicle planning to buy in the next 3 years, by vehicle body style, by other travel methods, besides automobile, November 2013
Considerations for Body Style Type of Compact Car and/or Crossover
-
- Key points
- Compact cars are most considered small vehicle body style
-
- Figure 89: Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover, November 2013
- Women more likely to consider a compact crossover, men more likely to consider a two-seater roadster
-
- Figure 90: Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover, by gender, November 2013
- Younger men and women more likely to consider a subcompact car
-
- Figure 91: Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover, by gender and age, November 2013
- Millennials more likely to consider mini compacts/city cars
-
- Figure 92: Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover, by generation, November 2013
- Those with children significantly more likely to consider a subcompact crossover
-
- Figure 93: Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover, by presence of children in Household, November 2013
Reasons for Purchasing a Compact Car and/or Crossover
-
- Key points
- Majority of small vehicle intenders interested in a car that gets more than 30 mpg in the combined EPA cycle
-
- Figure 94: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, November 2013
- Female small car intenders looking more for backup cameras
-
- Figure 95: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by gender, November 2013
- Millennials far more interested in foreign branded small cars when compared to Baby Boomers
-
- Figure 96: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by generations, November 2013
- Smaller households more interested in easy parallel parking
-
- Figure 97: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by household size, November 2013
- Compact crossover intenders looking for backup camera, infotainment system, three rows of seats
-
- Figure 98: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by purchase intent – Compact car versus compact crossover, November 2013
Reasons for Not Wanting to Purchase a Compact Car or Crossover
-
- Key points
- Number one reason for not considering the purchase of a small vehicle is due to lifestyle conflicts
-
- Figure 99: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, November 2013
- Men far more likely to say compact cars and/or crossovers aren’t suitable for their lifestyle
-
- Figure 100: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, by gender, November 2013
- Less wealthy households more likely to think large vehicles nearly as fuel efficient as small cars
-
- Figure 101: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, by household income, November 2013
- Those with children far more concerned with ability to fit family
-
- Figure 102: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, by presence of children in household, November 2013
- Those from the Midwest/South more likely to think larger cars and crossovers nearly as fuel efficient as compacts
-
- Figure 103: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, by region, November 2013
- Generation Xers not intending to purchase a small car most likely to say its due to the lack of suitability for family
-
- Figure 104: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, by generations, November 2013
- Those who take public transit frequently and aren’t considering a compact vehicle more likely to think it’ll make them look cheap
-
- Figure 105: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, by other travel methods, besides automobile, by compact car and/or crossover owners, November 2013
Race and Hispanic Origin
-
- Key points
- Black compact car and crossover owners more likely to own just one vehicle
-
- Figure 106: Number of vehicles owned by household, by those who own a compact car and/or crossover, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2013
- Hispanics more likely to own compact vehicles
-
- Figure 107: Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2013
- Black respondents significantly more likely to intend to purchase compact vehicle than currently have one
-
- Figure 108: Purchase intent, by vehicle body style, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2013
- Hispanics significantly more likely to consider subcompact crossovers
-
- Figure 109: Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2013
- Hispanics significantly more interested in small cars with foreign brand names
-
- Figure 110: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2013
- Hispanics less likely to state lifestyle or family conflicts as reasons for not selecting a small vehicle
-
- Figure 111: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car and/or crossover, by race/Hispanic origin, November 2013
Appendix – Other Useful Consumer Tables
-
- Profile of compact car and/or crossover owners
- Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style
-
- Figure 112: Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, by those considering a compact car and/or crossover, by gender and age, November 2013
-
- Figure 113: Vehicles owned by household, by vehicle body style, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
- Cost of most recently acquired vehicle
-
- Figure 114: Cost of most recently acquired vehicle, by household income, November 2013
- Approximately when next vehicle be purchased
-
- Figure 115: Approximately when will the next vehicle be purchased, by compact car versus compact crossover owners, November 2013
- Characteristics of compact car and/or crossover intenders
-
- Figure 116: Intent of purchasing a vehicle in the next three years, by compact car versus compact crossover purchase intenders, November 2013
- Purchase intent of compact cars and crossovers
-
- Figure 117: Purchase intent, by vehicle body style, by miles personally driven annually, November 2013
-
- Figure 118: Purchase intent, by vehicle body style, by smartphones and tablets personally owned, November 2013
- Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover
-
- Figure 119: Considerations for body style type of compact car and/or crossover, by household income, November 2013
- Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover
-
- Figure 120: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by gender and age, November 2013
-
- Figure 121: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by household income, November 2013
-
- Figure 122: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by smartphones and tablets personally owned, November 2013
-
- Figure 123: Reasons for purchasing a compact car and/or crossover, by other travel methods, besides automobile, by compact car and/or crossover owners, November 2013
- Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover
-
- Figure 124: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, by household size, November 2013
-
- Figure 125: Reasons for not wanting to purchase a compact car or crossover, by smartphone or tablet personally owned, November 2013
Appendix – Trade Associations
Back to top