Posted on 12/28/2007 5:24:43 AM PST by Democracy In Iraq
Surprisingly Strong SUV Sales
Despite high gas prices and calls for greater energy efficiency, many Americans are still buying large, luxury SUVs and pickups
by Jim Henry
Thought sales of big, expensive SUVs and pickups were on life support? It would seem that reports of their death have been greatly exaggerated as sales for some of the largest, thirstiest luxury models, including the Cadillac Escalade ESV, Mercedes-Benz GL, and Toyota Tundra have shown a surprising resurgence.
"There are buyers for whom, that's the vehicle they still want, for what their needs are, and gas prices won't deter everyone," says Stephanie Brinley, senior manager for product analysis at Tustin (Calif.)-based AutoPacific.
For the entire U.S. auto industry, light trucks still constitute more than 50% of sales, and the vehicles are on track to regain in 2007 the market share that was lost in 2005 and 2006. That share growth includes, but is not limited to, a growing number of car-based crossover vehicles that look like trucks but drive more like cars.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessweek.com ...
I'm amazed that people can still do this even in the 7th year of the "Bush Recession/Depression" that won't end until a Democrat is elected President.
Maybe the "Bush Recession/Depression" got a little better when the Democrat party took over Congress?
Another note on this terrible recession in which we find ourselves — the other day I heard on ad on the radio for Rolls Royce. I don’t think I’ve ever heard one of those before. You know times are tough when the general public is being urged to buy a Rolls Royce.
prisoner6
My previously I-hate-SUVs wife is now agreeing to buy one because of all the snow that’s fallen in our area recently. She finally realizes the value of having one.
She’ll probably want one of those cute little SUVs rather than the real thing.
I’m lucky. My wife’s favorite dream vehicle is a F350 or Silvarado 3500. A dually with a diesel engine. I told her once that could have one after she demonstrates she can park it. She said parking isn’t a problem, just it in four wheel drive and it will fit into any parking place.
These days you practically NEED and SUV, to plow through all those global warming snowstorms.
Average of 17 miles a gallon, still not out of its break in period, it shoud do better after 15,000 miles. It includes all the bells and whistles and the payment is more than a rental house I bought 4 years ago!! Unbelieveably expensive!
Even the tundra now offfers 0 percent financing and sizable discounts.....I think this explains the recent sales figures.
Seems like her conversion came just in time. Get one while you still can!
If someone wants to spend their money on a gas guzzler that has (usually) no commercial purpose, let them do so. I know I am preaching to the choir here, but its amazing how many folks are livid about others who choose to drive large trucks.
If you drive a vehicle 10,000 miles per year and get 15 miles per gallon, you have to buy about 667 gallons of fuel over the course of the year. At $3 per gallon, that's $2,000 per year in fuel costs. That seems like a lot of money, and for most of us it probably is . . . but it's only a lot of money if you're comparing it to $0.
If you trade that vehicle in for one that gets 25 miles per gallon, you're buying 400 gallons of fuel, not 667. And your annual fuel cost is $1,200 instead of $2,000. So having the more fuel-efficient vehicle saves you $800 -- which could be the equivalent of about two car payments for a typical mid-sized sedan.
It looks like there are enough people out there who realize they can save $800 in other parts of their budgets rather than agonize over the price of fuel.
The Subaru Forester is great in snow.
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