Expect the multi-purpose vehicles and small crossovers to be the “in-thing” this 2023.
This is the fearless forecast this year as various things that were in our midst during the last quarter of last year are still there and being felt around.
The MPVs started coming in and introduced by various car manufacturers early in the third quarter of the year and continue to be upgraded one after the other.
This happens while the SUVs and the Pick-Up Trucks are being sidetracked for obvious reasons – they are very hot on the eyes of the legislative department. With the threat of the return of added taxes on these Pick-Up Trucks, major manufacturers muffled down the popularity of their products although they still try to convince the government that the pick-up trucks are there supporting the economy in going back to normal.
The battle of the MPVs heated up in the last quarter as Toyota came out with several options last year. The ever top-seller Innova and Avanza continue to lord it over in the MPV market while the small crossovers such as the Veloz, RAV4, Corolla Cross, and Rush are now being embraced by its loyal customers.
Mitsubishi prides itself with its crown jewel Xpander that is expected to fly higher this year with the introduction of its Sports series while Nissan is hoping for a much bigger pie this year with its Livina and the Kicks E-Power.
Hyundai is betting on its Stargazer, Creta, and Tucson while Mazda is parading its CX3 and Geely has its Coolray and Okavango.
The list goes on and on while new buyers will surely have a lot of inquiry and test-drive to do if they are really keen on buying what is worth their money.
We have reports that several major Japanese, and even Korean, manufacturers will be introducing more models of MPVs in the next few weeks as they compete in this segment which is touted to be the “hit” among the consumers.
The threat of inflation is one of the main reasons why they are betting on the safe side of the MPVs since they are not that stiff to the budget of the consumers who are all angling for a vehicle that would be comfortable not only for their own use but for their family as well.
The spiraling cost of fuel keeps the major vehicle buyers from those bulky and gas-zipping SUVs although their eyes are still popping when they see them on the road.
But when the buyers’ attention is now on these MPVs and small Crossovers, the question would be if the manufacturers could deliver the vehicles to the buyers as soon as possible.
The problems that beset the car-industry during the pandemics are still lingering up to these days. Various manufacturers are still hampered by the lack of deliveries from their mother companies simply because of the lack of ample supplies of vehicles.
The Covid-19 pandemic is still kicking in most parts of China, virtually crippling the supplies of the needed spare parts while the lack of the needed chips from Taiwan and other countries continues to drag the supply line.
Anyway, despite these things confronting the industry, better be ready to see the rise of the MPVs and the small Carryovers in the next few months as we greet the new and hopefully prosperous year.
