If you are a fan of Honda, then you will definitely want to keep your eye on the the Detroit Auto Show (more formally known as the North American International Auto Show) that will be put on next month. At the show, Honda's newest concept vehicle will be unveiled - the Urban SUV. A type of crossover, the idea of this vehicle is based upon their subcompact Fit model.
The North American International Auto Show is expected to be overflowed with crossover utility vehicles that have been downsized. Included within some of the vehicles that will be seen at the show is the Lincoln MKC that shares much in common with the smaller Ford Escape, with more focus on luxury.
With fuel prices as they are now (and not expected to drop anytime in the near future), the popularity of small vehicles continues to increase. According to Mark Fields, Ford's Chief Operating Officer, B and C segment models have gained a significant amount of increasing attention in the last decade. Since 2005, the sales of such vehicles have jumped from 13% of the overall U.S market to 20% - that is a 7% increase in only 8 years! As for the trend, it's not going anywhere. In fact, the sales of smaller vehicles is expected to increase at an even faster rate over the next few years.
And where is this trend expected to see the biggest jump? In the compact and subcompact crossover vehicles. Vehicles such as the BMW X1, a small crossover, are being manufactured more than ever, both for mainstream and upscale markets.
As of right now, Honda isn't saying much about their new models and are offering little detail into the making of their crossovers. What they are saying, however, is that their Urban SUV is a model that has been designed with a global concept. It is said to combine the SUV profile with a more sporty appearance on the exterior. The interior is fully functional, modern, and spacious.
With all of that said, the Honda display model at the North American International Auto Show is only expected to be a lightly disguised version of their actual production model (as their vehicles have been in previous shows). As for the real model? This is expected to hit the buyers market after their new plant in Mexico has been opened.
As for Lincoln? It also has ambitious goals for their new "MKC" model. This compact crossover will be one of the 4 models that Ford's luxury brand intends to release between today and 2014. Other vehicles expected to be released between now and 2014 include the MKZ, a newer replacement model for the Navigator SUV, and a new model of the MKS.
Recently, SUV sales have been on the increase and Honda has the goal of boosting their sales by twenty percent by the year 2016. They believe that their new models will help them to reach this goal.
With the increase of sales for small model cars, many other compact crossovers are also expected to hit the market in the near future.
Read the Original Article at: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/compact-crossover-vehicles-hot-new-trend-1C7555747
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