Trucks, SUVs Take Center Stage at Detroit Auto Show

The start of the Detroit Auto Show has served as evidence that automakers are focusing on pickups and SUVs as they aim to counter declining U.S. sales.

Jan. 17, 2018

Jan. 17, 2018—The start of the Detroit Auto Show has served as evidence that automakers are focusing on pickups and SUVs as they aim to counter declining U.S. sales, BBC News noted on Tuesday.

Sales of new vehicles in the U.S. dropped roughly 2 percent last year, fading to 17.2 million. While analysts expect to see another decline in sales in 2018, American manufacturers hope a focus on traditionally stronger sellers like pickups and SUVs can help.

Pickup trucks, of course, tend to produce higher profit margins than sedans and currently account for roughly 15 percent of the U.S. market. SUVs account for more than 40 percent of U.S. sales.

Fiat Chrysler, Ford, and GM have all upgraded their truck lines that are currently being displayed at the Detroit Auto Show, for example. Meanwhile, Lamborghini and BMW are among the OEMs showing off new SUVs this week.

For a full schedule of the auto-show events in Detroit in January, click here.