Hyundai Sonata

The auto industry takes to New York to showcase its very best.

The Big Apple lives up to its name with every major event done in a spectacular way. Fashion Week, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and New Year’s Eve in Times Square are among the annual occurrences that keep New York City on the world stage.

The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is yet another annual celebration and is especially noteworthy because it is both the oldest show of its kind in the U.S. and it unofficially closes the auto show season in North America. Indeed, beginning with Los Angeles in November, and extending to Detroit in January, Chicago in February and New York in early spring, we’re treated to a succession of new vehicle introductions. That’ll change next year when the Detroit show moves to June, but it may have little impact on what automakers show in Manhattan.

2019 New York International Auto Show — Top: Cadillac CT5. Left: Lincoln Corsair. Right: Genesis Mint Concept.

The 2019 NYIAS

The 2019 NYIAS is now open and showcases more than 1,000 vehicles at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan through April 28. The following are among the highlights of this year’s show, new vehicles worth checking out.

1. Lincoln Corsair. Ford’s luxury brand continues to ditch its forgettable naming convention for standard names. The previous MKC, a compact SUV, is giving way to the all-new Lincoln Corsair. The new model may share its underpinnings with the Ford Escape, but its sheet metal and interior are all its own, much in the vein where the Toyota RAV4 and Lexus NX share the same platform. The new Corsair comes with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or an available turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, the same as the Ford Mustang. Technology is at the forefront of this model, with such features as a power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, and a lovely Revel audio system available.

2. Genesis Mint Concept. We’ve expected Hyundai’s luxury brand to branch out beyond sedans and utility vehicles for some time. The marque’s first SUV goes on sale later this year with two others to follow. Once Genesis has its three sedans and three SUVs in place, we should see its first electric vehicle roll out. It may very well derive its look from the Mint Concept, a gorgeous coupe with scissor-style rear doors. Genesis pegs its range at just over 200 miles, which is average for the segment, but below that of the competing Tesla Model 3.

3. Cadillac CT5. Just as Lincoln drives away from its nomenclature, Cadillac embraces its own. That’s especially evident in the Cadillac CT5, a small luxury sedan and the replacement model for the previous ATS. You’ll find either a twin-scroll turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a potent twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, with each paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Standard rear-wheel drive, available all-wheel drive, a 10-inch color display, and advanced driver assist technologies to punctuate this model, which goes on sale in the fall.

4. Volkswagen Tarok Concept. Volkswagen doesn’t have a pickup truck presence in the U.S. market and that’s something this German automaker wants to rectify. How they’ll get it done isn’t clear with the midsize Amarok available in many markets, while the Tarok Concept takes center stage at the NYIAS. The Tarok reminds us that Volkswagen can easily take one of its small cars and transform it into a truck-like vehicle, much like they did with the Volkswagen Rabbit Pickup in the early 1980s. The concept has a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive. Its flip down rear seat supplies access to the truck bed, a style reminiscent of the Chevrolet Avalanche. Ford may supply VW with a truck, as the two automakers forge some type of alliance. But we think the Tarok or something like it will roll out, perhaps relaunching the small pickup market that was prevalent in the 1980s.

5. Hyundai Sonata. The Hyundai Sonata is a midsize sedan in a segment that has been steadily shrinking as the onslaught of crossovers builds. Although Chrysler, Ford and possibly Chevrolet are abandoning the segment, Hyundai doubles down with an all-new 2020 Sonata. Its fetching looks are apparent right up front as the LED accent lights run part way up the hood. It represents a strong response to critics who pilloried Hyundai for the perceived blandness of the outgoing model. Standard under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. We expect a hybrid variant to follow.

6. Toyota Highlander. We can’t get enough of three-row crossover utility vehicles, which is why the 2020 Highlander is so important to Toyota. Especially in the face of new and very stiff competition in the form of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The all-new Highlander features a more athletic look, standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, V6 or hybrid powertrains, and a 12.3-inch color display. Speaking of the hybrid, Toyota claims a 17-percent boost in fuel efficiency. That’ll give this model an important edge in the market.

Upstart automaker Rivian presents two models in New York.

Best of the Rest

Many more manufacturers rolled out new models and a few concepts to boot at the 2019 NYIAS. An all-new Toyota Yaris joins the Highlander on Toyota’s stage, a model based on the Mazda2. Hyundai is showcasing its all-new Venue crossover, while Nissan has a new Versa sedan. As for the Versa Note, we believe this hatchback won’t be back.

One manufacturer with plenty to show in New York is Mercedes-Benz. The German luxury marque has both the standard and sporty versions of its small CLA35 sedan on hand along with the GLC Coupe and the GLS-Class SUV. You’ll also find models from new manufacturers, including Karlmann King, Mullen Technologies, and Rivian.

In all, New York has something for everyone with present and future technologies evident as well. The show is open on Easter Sunday.

Photos copyright the respective manufacturers.

Sharply declining sales may spell the end for several car models.

The U.S. automotive market, indeed the entire global market has seen a shift away from cars to utility vehicles. Cars, while valued for their practicality and reasonable cost are yielding the market to utility vehicles, which offer an excellent combination of passenger space and cargo capacity. They’re also more profitable to automakers.

As such, manufacturers will soon lay the ax to several car models as the market shift continues. Soon, you may walk into a new car dealership and find no more than one or two car models available as utility vehicles, pickup trucks and an assortment of crossover-like conveyances take over.

Here’s our list of threatened models based on year-to-date sales figures through October 2018:

Chevrolet: Sonic and Impala

The bow-tie brand’s weakest models are its subcompact Sonic (hatchback and sedan) and its full-size Impala sedan. The two models were introduced or updated in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Chevrolet Silverado — Like its top competitor’s Chevrolet’s best-selling vehicle is not a car.

Sonic sales are down 25.7 percent and will struggle to top 22,000 units this year. The Impala numbers aren’t as bad with Chevrolet selling 43,953 units, down 13.38 percent. We think the midsize Malibu sedan (-23.88%) will hang on for a while longer, mostly because it is rather new. The compact Cruze (-26.52%) numbers are way down too, but there is life left. Besides, it shares its platform with the plug-in Volt (-13.72%).

As for the Corvette (-21.23%) and Camaro (-25.87%), both models will soldier on with a mid-engined Corvette waiting in the wings. We can’t see Chevrolet killing the Camaro all over again, although sales now trail both the Mustang and Challenger.

Dodge and Chrysler: A Vulnerable Trio

Dodge and Chrysler are FCA’s two domestic car brands and both are hanging on. Dodge dropped the compact Dart sedan and Chrysler the midsize 200 sedans in recent years. What’s left is a trio of sporty models: The Dodge Challenger (+0.07%), Dodge Charger (-11.98%), and the Chrysler 300 (-12.83%).

Dodge Charger Hellcat — A succession of Hellcat models has kept the Charger and Challenger alive. But for how long?

The Chrysler is the most vulnerable of the three and will likely be replaced by a utility vehicle. We think Dodge will hang on to the Challenger and Charger for a few more years, making updates to keep these dated models fresh. But the tide is changing and we could see the Charger killed off first with the Challenger following a few years later. The Jeep and Ram brands are the big profit centers for FCA, thus every other brand is vulnerable.

Ford: Only the Mustang Remains

Ford has not been coy about its car models. Every single model except for the Mustang (-0.93%) is threatened. Already, the subcompact Fiesta (+1.05%) and compact Focus (-18.46%) are gone or will soon be gone from the U.S. market.

The midsize Fusion (-21.77%) and the full-size Taurus (-2.49%) will be the next to go, although one or more names may be affixed to a future crossover model. Yes, we’ve heard rumors of a four-door Mustang appearing, but all that noise is simply speculation.

2018 Ford Mustang GT — The Mustang “brand” is a blue oval success story.

Honda: Staying the Course

Sales of the compact Civic (-10.32%) and midsize Accord (-14.16%) may be down, but they’re not out. Indeed, Honda may very well sell as many as 250,000 Accords and 300,000 Civics this year. Even if sales continue to slide, both models are safe.

As for the subcompact Fit (-14.59%), sales aren’t likely to top 40,000 units this year. That said, Honda may keep the Fit around and not offer an update for some time. This automaker also seems committed to its Clarity and Insight electrified vehicles, though sales remain modest.

See Also — It’s a Wrap: 2018 in Review

Nissan: Maxima on a Short Leash

Like Honda and Toyota, Nissan will keep its compact Sentra (-0.34%) and midsize Altima (-16.64%) sedans. The Altima is new for 2019 and will offer available all-wheel drive for the first time. Although the Sentra was last updated in 2013, we think a new model will eventually roll out.

Nissan Maxima models — The Maxima is one of Nissan’s strongest names, but it may not have long-term staying power.

What might not survive is the Maxima sedan (-36.18%), although it shares its underpinnings with the Altima. Like other flagship models, the Maxima may no longer have a place in the Nissan product line.

Also threatened is the subcompact Versa (-29.87%), the sporty 370Z (-24.44%) and the high-performance GT-R (-2.49%). The last two will likely sell just 3,000 and 500 copies, respectively. Those aren’t sustainable numbers no matter how you slice it.

Toyota: Several Models Might Get 86’d

Imagine Toyota without the compact Corolla (-11.35%) and its midsize Camry (-6.94%) if you would. That’s hard to fathom, right? Well, both models sell slightly better than their Honda counterparts, so they’ll be around for some time. Indeed, a new Camry arrived in 2018, followed by an all-new Corolla hatchback in 2019 (we’re expecting a new Corolla sedan in 2020).

2019 Toyota Corolla Hatchback — Toyota’s Corolla is hanging around and includes this sporty hatchback model.

The threatened Toyota models include the subcompact Yaris (-37.05%) and the hybrid Toyota Prius c. We doubt the Toyota 86 (-41.71%) will survive for much longer, although the nearly identical Subaru BRZ may soldier on. As for the full-size Avalon (+6.38%), it is also all new and gaining market share in a shrinking segment. We consider the Avalon the safest model in its segment by far.

Volkswagen: A Passe Passat?

Volkswagen has been undergoing intense changes these past few years following its diesel scandal. New or updated crossovers are taking a bigger slice of the sales pie and are driving sales. But models such as the subcompact Golf (-38.08%), compact Jetta (-32.77%), and the midsize Passat (-33.78%) are falling out of favor.

We think the Golf and Jetta will hang on, but the Tennessee-built Passat may give up its assembly line space to one or more new (and electrified) models planned. That transition may take a few years to complete, however.

Hyundai and Kia: Opportunity Lurks

Hyundai and Kia are joined at the hip, although the two Korean automakers largely operate as separate concerns. Hyundai supplies the vehicle platforms, then leaves each brand (plus Genesis) to decide how they will go.

In recent years, we’ve seen Hyundai do away with the Equus, Genesis, and Genesis coupe, along with the Azera sedan. Some of those models were replaced by Genesis brand vehicles when Hyundai rolled out its luxury brand.

Hyundai has also expanded its crossover offerings while bringing the electrified Ioniq (+37.69) to the market. We’re not sure the subcompact Accent (-51.12%) will survive, given that a new model rolled out in 2018. The compact Elantra (+4.06%) is performing well, but the midsize Sonata (-24.83%) has certainly seen better days. The sporty Veloster returned after a one-year hiatus and like the Elantra, it seems safe. Still, we think Hyundai will keep its car line in place as other automakers cut back.

2018 Kia Rio — Kia Rio sales are down despite a new model on hand.

As for the Kia, nearly the same can be said about it as we have said about Hyundai. Further, Kia continues to update even its slow sellers, such as the full-size Cadenza (-11.07%) and the luxury K900 (-26.14%).

A new subcompact Rio (+44.67) is performing well, although the compact Forte (-18.68%) and the midsize Optima (-5.74%) are not. Still, looking at Kia’s track record, we doubt any model will go away in the near future. In all, we think Hyundai and Kia may see opportunity in segments soon to be vacated by its competitors.

Looking Ahead

The shift to crossovers is, indeed, playing a large part in driving each brand’s portfolio. Two other factors, electrification, and autonomous vehicles, will play increasingly significant roles as we move forward.

The question not asked is this one: will manufacturers permanently adjust their portfolios? They may say yes, but market conditions can and do always change.

Witness Ford’s insistence a few years back that the Ranger pickup truck wouldn’t return. Beginning in 2019 we’ll see a new Ranger. And as for the Fiesta and Focus, both models will serve other markets and could at some point return to the U.S. if demand warrants it.

See Also — End of the Road: Ford Taurus