SUV sales overtake cars

SUVs are rapidly replacing cars as U.S. buyers’ vehicle of choice.

Car sales have been steadily declining since 2012, and they’re expected to hit a record low this year, according to car shopping site Edmunds.com. SUVs surpassed cars for the first time in 2016; this year, Edmunds forecasts SUVs will make up 43.5 percent of new vehicle sales while cars will fall to 34.5 percent. (Edmunds regularly provides content, including automotive tips and reviews, for distribution by The Associated Press.)

There are several reasons for the shift. Gas prices are low, so people feel like they can afford bigger vehicles. Manufacturers have expanded their offerings, introducing subcompact SUVs like the Jeep Renegade and Honda HR-V and new luxury models like the Maserati Levante. SUVs also appeal to two big populations: Millennials, who want extra space for growing families, and Baby Boomers, who find taller vehicles easier to climb into.

The boom has been great for SUV-heavy brands like Subaru and GMC, which have seen their U.S. sales climb this year even as the broader market fell. But it has hurt car-heavy brands like Dodge, Fiat, Chrysler and Mini.

The boom is also forcing automakers to change plans. The Michigan plant that makes the Ford Focus small car is being converted to make the Bronco SUV, for example. Ford Motor Co. will move Focus production to China.