Business
Why foreign automakers dominate the sedan market
The biggest American automakers all but abandoned sedans and coupes in recent years as they rushed to compete in the pickup truck and SUV markets.
Many domestic buyers also shifted toward those bigger vehicles. Still, there’s a market for cars, as Japanese, Korean and German brands sell hundreds of thousands of smaller passenger vehicles in the U.S. annually.
The resilience of the sedan market and concerns that high prices are driving away customers have led some American automakers to reconsider their lineups.
With the average price for a vehicle hovering around $50,000, a compact sedan that starts at about $22,000 is an attractive entry point for buyers, industry experts said.
“It’s all about affordability,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning for Kia USA. Kia’s K4 compact sedan and its predecessor, the Kia Forte, together were the brand’s second-bestselling vehicle last year, accounting for 140,514 units sold. “It’s just been doing phenomenally well for us. Way over plan, and a lot of it is affordability.”
Similarly, the RAV4 crossover SUV is Toyota’s bestseller, reaching 479,288 units sold in 2025. The automaker also moved 316,000 Camrys and nearly 250,000 Corollas last year, or 65% and 51% of the SUV’s sales, respectively.
“There is opportunity for sedans to offer an alternative to the sea of SUVs, and they are typically less expensive than an SUV in the same size class,” said Stephanie Brinley, associate director, AutoIntelligence, for S&P Global Mobility. “Sedans do offer more opportunity for compelling design and they are typically more fuel efficient than utility vehicles.”
Industry watchers, dealers and automaker executives have publicly expressed concerns that high vehicle prices and rising fuel costs could cause buyers to pull back or increasingly turn to used cars.
Indeed, Volkswagen said it has kept its Jetta sedan in its lineup for 45 years in the U.S. as an affordable entry point. The brand showed off a newly refreshed version of its full-size Atlas SUV at the New York International Auto Show in early April. But it also had its compact car, Jetta — and two higher-trim versions of the Golf hatchback — on the show floor as well.
“Jetta is one of our most important nameplates,” said Petar Danilovic, senior vice president of North American product marketing for Volkswagen. “Every car has a different role in the portfolio. And the Jetta, for example, is of course important to also attract entry customers. So hopefully to be able to grow them in the brand from a Jetta maybe to a Tiguan to an Atlas. So this is also the logic behind it.”
“Affordable options are essential for bringing newer and younger buyers into a brand,” said Rebecca Lindland, a managing director at Allison Worldwide. “Many Gen Z and younger Millennials simply can’t, or don’t want to, stretch to the typical SUV or crossover payment.”
SUVs have been growing in popularity for decades and shot up in popularity in the 2010s, while sales of smaller cars shrank. Sedans were almost 40% of the market in 2015, according to Edmunds. As of 2026, they were only 15%, according to the auto site.
The SUV offered a lot of those buyers a change from the cars they were familiar with. Now, their rarity might be giving sedans the same effect.
“A lot of it is this new generation that grew up in the back seat of an SUV,” Hedrick said. “They don’t want to drive an SUV. They like something different. So to them, a sedan is new. For the rest of us who grew up with sedans all the time, it’s old hat. But for new buyers, they like the look. They like the idea of doing something different.”
American automakers
Despite their pullback, American automakers still make a few sedans and coupes.
General Motors’ luxury brand Cadillac is discontinuing the CT4 sedan in 2026. The larger CT5 will leave the market temporarily, but will return, the company confirmed in an email.
GM also makes the high-end Corvette sports coupe.
A report from Automotive News, citing an anonymous source, said GM is planning to build a Buick sedan in a Michigan plant. GM spokesperson Kevin Kelly told CNBC in an email the company does not comment on product plans.
“We don’t see sedans recovering a decade-old heyday,” Brinley said, “but getting back into the segment may be a good move for GM and others considering the opportunity.”
Ford’s only traditional silhouette is the Ford Mustang, which many insiders — including CEO Jim Farley — have called the “soul of the company,” despite the fact that the F-150 pickup truck is its biggest seller by far and the Mustang is outsold by most of Ford’s SUVs. Still, it’s the best-selling coupe in the U.S. as of April 2026, according to Edmunds.
Farley said at the Detroit Auto Show that the company would “never say never” to bringing back more traditional passenger cars.
Stellantis‘ Dodge currently makes the Charger sedan in two- and four-door configurations.
The best-selling sedan by an American automaker is the Tesla Model 3, according to Edmunds. It’s the only sedan Tesla makes now that it has discontinued the full-sized Model S.
Electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors also makes the high-end Lucid Air sedan, but is planning a midsize SUV for its next product.
Others say they aren’t giving up on the segment.
“Obviously, the industry has moved towards SUVs and light trucks away from passenger cars,” Dave Christ, group vice president and general manager at Toyota Motor North America, said. “But we still believe in passenger cars, so we’re going to continue to invest in passenger cars. Even if the industry is 20% passenger cars, that’s over 3 million cars a year.”
Energy markets have seen wild swings since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.
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Gold and silver prices declined in both international and domestic markets, reflecting a broader downward trend in precious metals.
In the international bullion market, the price of gold fell by $49 per ounce, settling at $4,788.
According to the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), in the local market, gold prices also recorded a significant drop. The price per tola decreased by Rs4,900 to reach Rs501,162. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of gold declined by Rs4,201, settling at Rs429,665.
Silver prices also followed a downward trajectory. The price per tola of silver fell by Rs145 to Rs8,417 while the price of 10 grams of silver dropped by Rs124, reaching Rs7,216.
Read More: Gold, silver prices rise again in local and international markets
Gold and silver prices recorded an increase on Saturday in both international and local markets after declining on Friday, following a three-day upward trend in global and domestic markets.
According to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA), in the international bullion market, the price of gold rose by $45 per ounce to reach $4,837. In the local market, the price of gold per tola increased by Rs4,500 to Rs506,062, while the rate for 10 grams rose by Rs3,858 to Rs433,866.
Silver prices also moved higher, with the per tola rate increasing by Rs118 to Rs8,562. Similarly, the price of silver per 10 grams rose by Rs101 to Rs7,340.
Business
Stocks to buy: What’s the outlook for Nifty for April 20-April 24 week? Check list of top stock recommendations – The Times of India
Stock market recommendations: APL Apollo Tubes, and HDFC Asset Management Company are Sudeep Shah, Head – Technical Research and Derivatives, SBI Securities’ top stock picks for this week. Below are his stock picks and also views on Nifty.Nifty ViewThe benchmark index Nifty continues to inch higher; however, this phase of the rally is notably different, as the spotlight has shifted away from the headline index. While Nifty has extended its pullback rally for the second consecutive week and closed in the green, the real strength is emerging beneath the surface. The broader markets have taken the lead, with Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 delivering a robust rally and clearly outperforming the frontline index. Both indices have decisively moved above their key moving averages, signalling trend strength, whereas Nifty is still trading below its 100day and 200day EMA. Most importantly, Nifty Midcap 100 is now just a short distance away from its alltime high, suggesting that the next leg of opportunity may be unfolding beyond the conventional largecap space.Focusing back on Nifty, the index has been sustaining above its 50day EMA for the last three trading sessions, while the 20day and 50day EMA have started to edge higher, reflecting improvement in the shortterm trend. Meanwhile, the downward momentum in the 100day and 200day EMA has slowed considerably, indicating a stabilisation in the mediumterm structure. Momentum indicators further support the constructive bias, with the daily RSI trading above the 57 mark and moving higher, and the daily MACD histogram signalling strong bullish momentum.Collectively, these technical factors suggest that the pullback rally is likely to continue in the short term. On the upside, the 24650–24700 zone is expected to act as a crucial hurdle for the index. A sustainable breakout above 24700 could lead to an extension of the pullback rally towards 25000, followed by 25200 in the near term. On the downside, the 24050–24000 zone will serve as immediate support, and as long as the index remains above the 24000 mark, the ongoing pullback rally is likely to stay intact.Bank Nifty ViewThe banking benchmark Bank Nifty also ended the week on a positive note, indicating the continuation of its ongoing pullback rally. However, over the last three trading sessions, the index has struggled to decisively cross its 200day EMA, suggesting a phase of consolidation near a key long-term resistance zone. This price behaviour reflects hesitation at higher levels and points towards a pause in momentum after the recent recovery.This consolidation largely indicates a degree of caution among market participants, as investors appear to be awaiting clarity on the Q4 earnings outcome of major banking heavyweights, namely ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. With both results scheduled over the weekend, the index is likely to witness a directional move post the earnings announcements, depending on earnings performance and management commentary.From a technical perspective, the index continues to maintain a constructive short-term setup, as it is trading above its 20day and 50day EMA, reflecting underlying strength. Momentum indicators remain supportive, with the daily RSI placed above the 55 level and trending higher, suggesting improving buying momentum and positive shortterm bias.Looking ahead, the 57000–57100 zone is expected to act as a crucial resistance area, as it coincides with both the prior swing high and the 100day EMA, making it an important supply zone. A sustainable move above 57100 could lead to a further extension of the pullback rally towards 57800, followed by 58500 in the short term. On the downside, the 55800–55700 zone is placed as an important support band, and any dip towards this region is likely to attract buying interest as long as the structure remains intact.Stock recommendations:APL Apollo TubesAPL Apollo Tubes has shown strong bullish intent after a 14.5% pullback from its early April lows near the 200-day EMA, indicating solid support at lower levels. The recent consolidation between 2072–1961 acted as a base, with the stock now delivering a decisive breakout on strong footing. A positive DI crossover on ADX signals clear buyer dominance, while the MACD nearing a move above the zero line with rising histogram bars points to strengthening momentum.The overall setup suggests the stock is well-positioned to extend its uptrend in the near term. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 2110-2090 with a stoploss of 2020. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 2255 in the short term.HDFC Asset Management CompanyHDFC Asset Management Company has exhibited strong bullish momentum, closing Friday’s session with an impressive 4.89% gain. The stock has surged nearly 26% from its March lows, indicating robust buying interest. Momentum indicators remain firmly supportive, with RSI sustaining above 60, reflecting strength. Additionally, a positive DI crossover on ADX highlights clear buyer dominance, while rising MACD histogram bars with the MACD line above the zero mark further reinforce the ongoing uptrend. The overall structure suggests the stock is well-positioned to extend its upward trajectory. Hence, we recommend to accumulate the stock in the zone of 2800-2770 with a stoploss of 2690. On the upside, it is likely to test the level of 2990 in the short term.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)
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