Demand for Crossover Utility Vehicles Expected to Soar in 2006
Auto industry analysts are predicting that sales of CUVs (crossover utility vehicles) will rise in 2006 and that crossover sales will pass sales of SUVs in 2006. An article on Macleans.ca has some predictions from Ford's George Pipas.
Although sales of truck-based SUVs are down from their peak of nearly 3 million units in 2000, "the total SUV market keeps growing," said Ford's George Pipas.
The growth of SUV sales is coming from so-called "crossovers" or CUVs, which are car-based vehicles. In fact, Pipas predicted that crossover sales would surpass SUV sales in 2006, nearly three or four years earlier than previous projections.
Currently, about 2.45 million traditional SUVs have been sold through 2005 versus sales of 2.24 million CUVs, and the sales figures for those segments will flip next year, Pipas forecasted.
Some analysts say the CUV trend has occured as a consumer response to high gas prices. An AP story says some of the best selling crossovers include the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot and Chevrolet Equinox.
Mazda is also planning on introducing a new crossover, called the Mazda CX-7 (pictured on the right), according to an article on Automobile.com.
Mazda has just announced that it will be bringing several never-before seen vehicles to crown its display at the 2006 North American International Auto Show which takes place this coming January. Aside from showing updates to the Mazda6 and the all-new MX-5 roadster, it will be bringing a pair of economy-sized concepts and a unique design study. Mazda will also be debuting its all-new CX-7 crossover utility vehicle.
The Kabura Concept is the third and final vehicle in Mazdas global design trilogy. This three-part series is a showcase of the many cultural influences that surround each of its design studios. Named after the Japanese term used for the first arrow into battle, the Kabura was styled and built at Mazdas design center in California. It follows the European-designed Sassou subcompact and the Japanese-designed Senku concept.
Based off of the MX-5s floorpan and powertrain, the Kabura is a lightweight, rear-wheel drive sports car designed to emphasize the pleasures of driving, without sacrificing versatility. Mazda has already proven this point twice over with its current generation of sports cars - the astonishingly practical four-door RX-8 and the latest MX-5 with its impressively sized trunk. Fans of Mazda no doubt look forward to seeing what surprises are in store with the Kabura.
Auto industry analysts are predicting that sales of CUVs (crossover utility vehicles) will rise in 2006 and that crossover sales will pass sales of SUVs in 2006. An 
