Finding an American-made sedan today is like visiting a museum. You know they existed, you've seen pictures, but good luck finding one in the wild. But why is that the case? And is the situation about to change?
Here are Five Fast Facts on sedans disappearing from the Big 3:
- 👀 Back In My Day - Less than two decades ago, sedans were half of all new vehicle sales. In 2025, that number dropped to just 18%. The market segment didn't just shrink, it entered witness protection and disappeared.
- 🤷 Bueller...Bueller...? - The Big 3 have largely abandoned sedans because Americans love trucks and SUVs, and also because they can't make money on sedans, especially compared to Japanese and Korean cars.
- 🔍 You Pick (Or Not) - In the US, the only sedans still being made by the Big 3 are the Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger, and a couple of Caddies. Not that those aren't all awesome cars ('cuz they are), but a buffet with four or five good dishes is still pretty lame, right?
- 🏭 Labor Pains - Part of the issue is labor unions, which hit the Big 3 harder than their competitors. The impact of unions on a car's price can add at least 2-7%. It's not huge, but it's also not nothing, and a few percent can easily swing the decision for budget conscious buyers.
- 🤔 A U-Turn? - Now that the average price of a new car is over $50k and affordability is a buzz word, the Big 3 are eyeing sedans again as a way to attract low cost buyers. The target demographic is anyone who's ever said, "I'll wait until it's on sale."
🔥Bottom line: If you go to the dealership and ask for an American-made sedan, the sales guy might stare at you and then ask if you'd also like a Blockbuster membership and a phone book. Have a good laugh and then check out the SUVs. But maybe the next time you need to buy a car you'll have more options made here at home. Time will tell!
Are you in the market for a sedan?
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