Stellantis Design Chief Claims People Are Looking For Sedans

According to Ralph Gilles, chief designer at Stellantis, more people are seeking sedans.

In an interview with Car Design News, Gilles said he was “tired” of SUVs and that for him “the SUV craze has kind of come and gone.” Stellantis currently sells two sedans in the United States—the Dodge Charger and the Alfa Romeo Giulia. According to Gilles, “A lot of people are looking for sedans. Young designers want hatchbacks like the GTI of the 1980s. They want a personal car that’s fun to drive and easy to park. It’s making us rethink different form factors.”

Despite the dark atmosphere surrounding sedans, there are still plenty of options for sale in the United States, especially in the premium and luxury segments. Affordable options are harder to find.

Another indicator that the crossover craze may be coming to an end: teenagers. In a recent Escalent survey, 51 percent of teenagers said they envision themselves driving a sedan one day. That compares with 31 percent who would opt for an SUV and 14 percent who would choose a pickup truck.

Many teenagers today grew up in families that owned crossovers and SUVs and, like the generations before them, don’t want to be like their parents, so the move to sedans makes sense. Station wagons and minivans have faced similar backlash.

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