cartype

Cartype is a classification used in the automotive industry to describe a vehicle’s basic body design or layout, often referred to as body style or vehicle type. It is used for design, marketing, regulatory compliance, and data analysis, helping to group vehicles with similar form and function.

Common cartypes include sedan, hatchback, coupe, convertible, wagon/estate, SUV, crossover, minivan, van, pickup, and bus. Some categories overlap (for example, a compact sedan is still a sedan), and regional terminology can vary. In practice, "car type" is a broad umbrella that blends body style, size, and platform.

Body design and structure play a role in cartype distinctions. Crossovers are generally built on unibody platforms and share car-based ride characteristics, while traditional sport utility vehicles may use body-on-frame construction. The same model may be marketed in different cartypes in different regions, reflecting market strategy and regulatory labeling.

History and trends show that early automobiles offered open bodies, while the mid-20th century favored closed sedans. Hatchbacks and wagons gained popularity in the latter half of the 20th century, and from the 1990s onward there was a strong shift toward SUVs and crossovers. In many markets, practical multipurpose models now dominate, though sedans remain common in others.

In regulatory and data contexts, cartype is a standard field in vehicle registrations, insurance, and safety testing. Classification systems vary by region; international systems, such as UN/ECE, categorize vehicles into groups (for example, M for passenger vehicles and N for goods vehicles). In databases, cartype is a controlled vocabulary used for filtering, reporting, and analysis.