Model year sales, 1994-1996

What segment's hot, what's not for '96 models

A gaze into the Ward's crystal ball sees a projected 15.1 industry sales for the 1996 model year. Hot markets will include sport/ utility vehicles, especially at the small and luxury ends. Significant sales increases will also come from lower luxury models. Vans show a steady growth and the core of the SUV market looks like it is on a healthy plateau. Middle- and upperluxury, pickups and lower middle segments look like they're headed into a decline, while upper middle and all small cars -- across the board -- appear to be headed for a bit of a rebound. Our 1994 and 1995 numbers come from Ward's Automotive Reports data bases. The 1996 figures are WAW estimates gleaned from a variety of industry sources.