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Family Car Buying - US - July 2014
Scope and Themes
 
What you need to know 
Total US sales of new family cars— including midsize cars, full-size cars, midsize crossovers/SUVs, full-size crossovers/SUVs, minivans and lifestyle-oriented trucks and vans—is estimated to comprise 7.7 million new car sales by the end of 2014. In 2014 it is estimated that family cars will comprise 47.7% of the market, and by 2016 family cars should once again comprise more than half the market—something family cars have not achieved since at least 2010. 

The new family car market is set to continue to outpace the overall new car market over the next few years as Millennials start to settle down, marry, and have children. Millennials, more so than Generation X before them, want more tech features that help aid the convenience aspect of their family car, including rear-seat entertainment for children. This younger consumer base also wants their family vehicles to be fun to drive. However, as the total amount of married couple families remains flat, and the number of single-parent or nontraditional households increases, family car manufacturers must also pay careful attention in crafting messages that cater to the wider reality that is the modern family car market, including the influences of stepparents or stepchildren, former in-laws (following a divorce), and multigenerational households. 

This report builds on the analysis presented in Mintel’s Buying the Family Car– US, July 2012. 

Definition 
While there is no official definition of a "family car," for the purposes of this report Mintel defines family cars as vehicles large enough to comfortably transport a family of four or more people. This includes midsize cars, full-size cars, midsized and full-size SUVs, midsized and full-size crossovers, and minivans. Additionally, several models of pickup trucks and conversion/cargo vans are family oriented. Below are examples of vehicles within the segments outlined throughout this report: 

●	Midsize car: eg, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu, etc. 
●	Full-size car: eg, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Buick Lacrosse, Ford Taurus, etc. 
●	Midsize crossovers/SUVs: eg, Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, etc.
●	Full-size crossovers/SUVs: eg, Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, etc.
●	Minivans: eg, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan 
●	Lifestyle trucks: eg, Chevrolet Avalanche, and Cadillac Escalade EXT 

Data sources
Sales data
●	Market Size and Forecast: Morgan & Co., Inc., West Olive, Mich.; Automotive News; HybridCarSales.com; Hyundai.com
●	Segment Performance: Morgan & Co., Inc., West Olive, Mich.; Automotive News; HybridCarSales.com; Hyundai.com
●	Leading Companies and Brand Share: Morgan & Co., Inc., West Olive, Mich.; Automotive News; HybridCarSales.com; Hyundai.com

Consumer survey data
For the purposes of this report, Mintel commissioned exclusive consumer research through GMI to explore consumer purchase of, attitudes and behaviors toward compact cars and compact crossovers. Mintel was responsible for the survey design, data analysis, and reporting. Fieldwork was conducted in May 2014 among a sample of 2,000 adults aged 18+ with access to the internet.

Mintel selects survey respondents so that they are proportionally balanced to the entire US adult population based on the key demographics of gender, age, household income, and region. Mintel also slightly oversamples, relative to the population, respondents that are Hispanic or Black to ensure an adequate representation of these groups in the survey results. Please note that Mintel surveys are conducted online and in English only. Hispanics who are not online and/or do not speak English are not included in the survey results.

While race and Hispanic origin are separate demographic characteristics, Mintel often compares them to each other. Please note that the responses for race (White, Black, Asian, Native American, or other race) will overlap those that also are Hispanic, because Hispanics can be of any race.

Abbreviations and terms
The following is a list of abbreviations used in this report: 

ACS | American Community Survey
APR | Annual percentage rate
ATV | All-terrain vehicle
CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CUV | Crossover utility vehicle
DPI | Disposable personal income
EIA | US Energy Information Administration
EIU | Economist Intelligence Unit
EPA | Environmental Protection Agency
FRBNY | Federal Reserve Bank of New York
GM | General Motors
IIHS | Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
JDM | Japanese domestic market
LLC | Limited liability company
MPG | Miles per gallon
NAR | National Association of Realtors
NHTSA | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTS | National Household Travel Survey
OE | Original equipment
OEM | Original equipment manufacturer
R&D | Research and development
SUV | Sport utility vehicle
YTD | Year to date

Terms
Generations, if discussed within this report, are defined as: 

World War II/Swing Generations | Members of the WWII generation were born in 1932 or before and are aged 82 or older in 2014. Members of the Swing Generation were born from 1933-45 and are aged 68-81 in 2014.
Baby Boomers | The generation born between 1946 and 1964. In 2014, Baby Boomers are between the ages of 50 and 68.
Generation X | The generation born between 1965 and 1976. In 2014, Gen Xers are between the ages of 38 and 49
Millennials | The generation born between 1977 and 1994. In 2014, Millennials are between the ages of 20 and 37. Note: the National Household Travel Survey defines Millennials as 16-34 as referenced and highlighted in this report.
iGeneration | Born between 1995 and 2007, members of iGen are aged 7 to 19 in 2014.
Emerging Generation | The newest generation began in 2008 as the annual number of births declined sharply with the recession. In 2014 members of this as-yet unnamed generation are under age 7.

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