Truck and Few Car Segments See Growth in 2016, Jumpstart Automotive Reports
Cheap oil prices in recent years have caused consumers to rediscover their love of SUVs, CUVs and trucks. Jumpstart Automotive said today that trend continued in the first half of 2016, with some notable exceptions.
SAN FRANCISCO — Cheap oil prices in recent years have allowed consumers to rediscover their love of trucks and SUVs, especially in the first half of 2016, according to a new analysis from Jumpstar Automotive. The firm, however, said their are some notable exceptions.
By analyzing the first half of 2016 versus the first half of 2015, Jumpstart Automotive found that every large vehicle segment — SUV/CUV, trucks, vans — showed growth, but so did certain car segments. High-volume car segments like sedans, compact cars and coupes saw less consumer interest, but sport, luxury exotic and alternative fuel vehicles saw interest grow 4%, 12% and 6% from the prior-year period, respectively, according to Jumpstart Automotive.
“Although sales data may continue to show that trucks are outperforming cars in noticeable ways, it is very interesting to see that many car segments remain top of mind for consideration among desktop and mobile shoppers,” stated Libby Murad-Patel, vice president of strategic insights and analytics for Jumpstart. “This is important data for OEMs and dealers to recognize as they build their digital marketing strategies for the balance of 2016 and entering 2017, particularly as the new models come onto the lots.”
Jumpstart Automotive also found that the trend looked remarkably different when comparing the first half of 2016 to all of 2015. Truck segments, for instance, saw a decrease in consumer consideration while even more car segments garnered more interest among car shoppers.
When looking at the full year of 2015 vs. the first half of 2016, SUV/CUV interest fell by 2%, truck interest fell by 5%, and van interest fell by 3%. On the flip side, sedans experienced a 4% bump in shopper interest, while sport, compact, coupes and performance cars all realized a 2% gain in shopper interest.
More Auto Finance

Dealerships Are Paying the Price for Extended Car Loans
Growing negative-equity scenarios mean such lengthy terms should be addressed in a forward-looking way to make them work for the dealer and the consumer down the road.
Read More →
Trade-Ins in Negative Equity Reach New Heights
As such trade-ins rise in frequency, so do monthly loan payment amounts and interest rates, according to second-quarter data compiled by Edmunds.
Read More →
Auto Credit Plentiful
June numbers show lenders are readily granting access, including to risky borrowers, as consumers leverage themselves to take on high prices.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Porsche Financial Services Shifts Structure
After 36 years with Porsche, the Financial Services Chief Financial Officer Konrad Riedl is retiring, and the department is realigning its management structure.
Read More →
Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums
As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.
Read More →
Smaller Loans, Longer Terms
The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.
Read More →
New Cars a Tad More Affordable
May averages show that combined circumstances gave auto consumers slightly better buying power for the month, though average prices were up year-over-year.
Read More →
First-Quarter Sees Long Auto Loan Growth
Experian data show more consumers are tapping the method, along with refinancings, to afford buying. Meanwhile, subprime borrowers are getting more access.
Read More →
Mastering Credit Friction
In this video, Josh Krach explains how to turn credit friction into an advantage.
Read More →