The same ABC nightly news story mentioning the NYC hybrid cabs by 2012 mentioned that even with gas prices where they are, large SUV sales are up 6% since Jan 1. The reason they propose is that people that make over $75K are not greatly affected by the high gas prices, so they will keep buying large, poor mpg vehicles because they "feel safer" in one. It might also be a way for middle-class people to affordably flaunt their wealth... like owning a car that is a status symbol, but a more affordable way of doing that. My take on it... they are showing their ignorance. Buy a Suburban, support your local terrorist. Buy a Suburban, who needs glaciers, we have ice machines.
Give it time. Eventually, CAFE will regulate the large SUVs into a stranglehold that no auto manufacturer can get out of. And, though it might make some people mad, I'd like to see legislation that outlaws the V-8. Period.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Topgas @ May 22 2007, 09:17 PM) [snapback]447770[/snapback]</div> It's probably not false, but I'll bet it is misleading. I heard the story and the figure was a 6% increase in the first quarter. First of all, in the first quarter gas prices were low from the pre-election drop that the controllers of the world gave us to try to retain Republican one-party rule. Many idiots who bought a car in the first quarter thought that $3 gas was just a fluke from the previous summer. Second, they don't mention which quarter they increase is over. Is it the fourth quarter of 2006 (the previous quarter) or is it over the first quarter of 2006 (the same months one year earlier)? Finally, SUV's are generally the only bright spot for the American auto industry (pick-up trucks may be another one) and reporting bad news for this segment would drive GM and Ford stock down even further. We're driving Priuses, many of us waited until it became established technology, and GM has a hybrid as a concept car. Why wouldn't ABC report some happy talk about SUV's?
Overall, there still seems to be a slow downward trend in SUV sales. http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/...opStories_ssi_5 If there is a quarterly increase in sales, hopefully it's just a blip. Edit: Apparently there IS about a 6% increase for the first quarter 2007, but it came after a 24% drop over 2004. http://www.azstarnet.com/business/184073
It's just the Republicans fudging the statistics/numbers to calm fear over skyrocketing fuel prices. What a crock! Everyone I know is dumping their SUVs...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(thebrattygurl @ May 23 2007, 10:57 AM) [snapback]448253[/snapback]</div> Republicans fudging numbers??? Must be the first time Observations... Most of the car dealer TV advertisements here are for large pickups and SUVs (even the Toyota Tundra), maybe they do have an overstock now. Also, the Prius ads I was seeing for a couple weeks are gone... maybe the WAIT is back??
