Vincent Kobe, chief executive of Citroën, argues that the peak of crossover popularity has passed. Production has declined, and the market is likely to see only a handful of crossover models remaining. In his view, the era of crossovers is winding down: “the world of crossovers is over.”
In recent years, crossovers represented about half of all new product introductions. There were even vehicles marketed as crossovers that resemble sedans but sit a bit higher, blurring the line between the two segments for some buyers.
Kobe notes that aerodynamics will be a key driver of a broader industry shift from crossovers to more compact, efficient cars. He emphasizes that how a vehicle cuts through the air can dramatically affect range, especially for electric models.
“If an electric car has poor aerodynamic performance, its range suffers greatly. It can lose tens of kilometers just from air resistance. The difference in range between a crossover and a sedan can amount to sixty to eighty kilometers on a single charge,” Kobe explains.
To stretch the range on a crossover, some manufacturers have opted for a larger battery pack, similar to strategies seen with other brands. In contrast, sleeker, lighter sedans such as the i4 achieve parity with smaller packs. These approaches highlight a broader energy-management challenge facing North American markets as they pursue longer trips with fewer recharges.
Kobe also warns of potential constraints on battery size and weight driven by policy, taxes, or other incentives that could shape vehicle design. France is already moving toward taxation based on vehicle weight, a policy lever that could influence vehicle weight across Europe and the Americas in the years ahead.
Looking back to trends from the 1970s onward, Kobe observes that average vehicle weight has nearly doubled—from about 700 kilograms to around 1,300 kilograms today. He predicts future averages could push toward two tons, noting that higher weights demand more resources to deliver the same mobility services while teams strive to keep sustainability goals in sight. He stresses that the focus should be on charging infrastructure, route planning, and ongoing improvements in vehicle weight and aerodynamics to preserve efficiency and performance for electric cars in North American fleets.
Additional voices in the industry echo the theme that practical charging on the go and smarter energy management will shape which vehicle types prove most suitable for everyday use in Canada and the United States. These concerns align with a broader push toward optimizing efficiency, reducing total energy consumption, and ensuring that electric vehicles meet the practical needs of drivers who rely on longer trips and tougher winter conditions.
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