By 1988, light-duty trucks—a category which includes pickups, minivans, and SUVs—accounted for roughly one third of new-vehicle sales. At the time, the popularity of trucks seemed scandalous to many in the automotive media, most whom wagged a stern figure at automakers, warning that a sudden surge in the price of gas would leave dealers with lots full of unsellable product.
And while a brief spike in gas prices around the turn of the 21st Century did, briefly, suppress the public’s interest in SUVs and crossovers, three decades later “trucks” are selling better than ever. In fact, during the first two months of the COVID-19 shutdown, crossover sales accounted for as much as 80 percent of what sales there were during that time.
Let’s return to 1988 and spend a little time with the sedans of the day. Collected here for you are 16 vintage print ads and one pretty entertaining TV commercial. If you remember spending time in one of these cars, tell us about it. The place to leave comments is down below.
A Gallery of 1988 Sedan Ads
Alfa Romeo Milano
More Alfa Romeo news and reviews
Acura Legend
Acura: The Racing in its Blood
Audi 80
Office Faux Pas: Pinstriping an Audi
Buick Park Avenue
Chevrolet Corsica
Future Collectibles: 2014-2016 Chevrolet SS
Chrysler New Yorker
Dodge Colt
Dodge Dynasty
Fratzog Madness! 10 Classic Dodge Ads
Ford Taurus
Future Shock: 1985 Ford LTD vs. 1986 Ford Taurus
Honda Accord
Review Flashback! 1982 Honda Accord
Jaguar XJ6
Consumer Guide Picks the 15 Best-Looking Cars of All Time*
Mercury Sable
Forgotten Concept: Mercury Meta One
Pontiac Bonneville
Poncho Madness! 10 Classic Pontiac Ads
Renault Medallion
Unsettling Transition: The 1988 Eagle Lineup
Toyota Cressida
Review Flashback! 1980 Toyota Cressida Wagon
Volvo 740
Check out the Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast
1988 Sedan Ads
