Investing.com - Auto sales are expected to fall again in 2018, but the crossover SUV segment will remain hot.January sales figure are already showing that's the case.U.S. crossover sales at GM rose 20% from a year ago, driven by the popular Chevy Equinox and Traverse models. Overall sales rose just 1.3%.Mazda's January sales also included large gains for two of its crossover vehicles -- the CX5 and CX9.Since overtaking sedans as the most popular vehicle type in 2014, crossovers have been a driving force for automakers.In 2017, three of the most popular selling vehicles in the U.S. were crossovers.GM, for instance, sold almost 290,500 Chevy Equinoxs, up 20% from the year before.Total crossover sales at GM hit more than 965,000 last year. That's 31% more than 2014 and 32% of all U.S. sales.Analysts say GM is particularly well positioned to benefit from the growing popularity of the vehicle class.Most of its nine crossover models are either new or were revamped in the past two years.Other automakers are rushing to cash in on the trend. Hyundai, for one, plans to launch eight new or redesigned crossover models by 2020.