FRANKFURT: Automobile sales continue to climb, and across carmakers’ ranges SUVs and crossovers are contributing more and more to these record numbers. Therefore expect them to be the star attractions of the upcoming Frankfurt motor show.
BMW on Tuesday reported that global sales of its X5 SUV have climbed 25.9% over the past six months, despite its premium price tag. What’s more, its even more expensive coupe sibling, the X6, has also experienced a 22.7% bump in popularity since January.
In the US, where manufacturers revealed their monthly sales this week, Land Rover set a new July sales record of 1497 units for its smallest luxury off-roader, the Evoque (that’s a 69% jump year-on-year), while Audi has reported an overall 68.4% increase in demand across its three-model crossover range.
It’s a trend that isn’t unique to the premium segment, either. Mazda’s compact CX-5 saw its best July in history (9504 units) and the company feels that the demand is only going to go up as its crossover range expands.
“We have high expectations for the new subcompact SUV segment that CX-3 plays in,” said Ron Stettner, VP, sales, Mazda North America.
“SUVs continue to push the industry,” said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP of Kia, which also reported growing sales of its Sportage and Sorento models.
And it’s a sentiment shared by Mercedes. “We are seeing strong momentum in the marketplace as we move through the third quarter,” said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. “This will increase as our SUV product offensive continues.”
Therefore it’s little surprise that the upcoming Frankfurt motor show, which officially gets underway on September 19, is expected to have a huge focus on crossovers and SUVs especially from brands that are new to the segment.
Jaguar will be showcasing the F-Pace, its first-ever “high sided” vehicle and one that it claims will offer the practicality of a crossover with the performance, comfort and dynamics for which the company is best known.
The GLC.
However, the Jaguar will have lots of competition on that front.
Mercedes will be officially launching the GLC, its premium alternative to the BMW X3 and Audi Q3. And Frankfurt could also be the venue where Maserati decides to launch its first SUV, the Levante, which aims to take on the BMW X6 and the Porsche Cayenne in terms of size, exclusivity and performance
Frankfurt could also be the venue for the Bentley Bentayga’s launch, an SUV with a 322kph top speed.
Audi, which shares platform technology with Bentley, has already indicated that it is going to use Frankfurt as a venue for showcasing a sporty but green, battery-powered crossover concept, the Q6 and that a production version will look to rival Tesla’s upcoming Model X plug-in electric SUV which is just weeks away from officially going on sale.
Keyword: Off-roaders on track for Frankfurt