Best selling vehicles in US for 2005

I wonder what the numbers would look like if you excluded commercial purchases where a large truck is needed, as opposed to individual purchases where a large truck is not needed for anything other than satisfying the ego of the driver. Advertising has done a very good job of convincing much of the American public that being a man means driving a big tough vehicle. How would your construction worker buddies respond if you drove up to the bar in a Geo Metro? For many that would be a very uncool purchase decision.

However, with gas at $3 per gallon and rising, wasting money on a big gas guzzler is soon going to be pretty uncool. If you need a big truck, fine. But how many actually need them?

When I was young, my parents drove their six kids around in a small station wagon. Now suburban moms with two kids say we need the 15 passenger SUV because they might have to drive the baseball team somewhere. In the past, we used two or three cars on the rare occasions when baseball team sized crowds needed to be moved.

 

I think you missed one of my key points -- namely that many people buy larger vehicles than they actually need. I suggest a major reason of this is the success of advertising. Boys and men see thousands of commercials that show handsome successful men having a good time driving these vehicles. We all want to be accepted by our peers. Advertising sends an extremely powerful, non-verbal message that people who drive these vehicles will be admired in society. The implication is you are somehow better if you drive them.

As many experts have said, advertising is one factor driving compulsive behavior in society. We're told in powerful non-verbal ways that we'll be happy if we buy things like SUVs. But it's never enough. Advertising and media drown out the voice of parents and others who say the real way to be happy is be a good person.

The point I'm making is that people often buy these vehicles to show off, to feel better about themselves, not because they need them. I suspect 80-90% of SUV purchases are unnecessary. For example, what percentage of pickup trucks that you see on the road have something in the bed? Almost every pickup truck I see has an empty bed, meaning the extra capacity is rarely used. The sad thing is that these people love their kids and would probably do anything for them. Yet they buy the SUV, not realizing it is damaging the world their kids will grow up in.

You suggest driving 6 cars puts out more emissions than one SUV, and you're right. But you missed my point again. The point is most people, like suburban moms, only need the extra capacity 10% of the time or less. Therefore, 10% of the time you're making less emmissions. 90% of the time you're making way more.

Demand for large vehicles is created by advertising. That is the point of advertising -- to sell things. Other societies that drive smaller cars don't seem to have any problems. I think we could survive on smaller more efficient vehicles as well.

 

Seems like that's a quantity issue. Make a LOT of something (then offer a carrot deal like the GM employee discount) and you're bound to sell a lot.

Now, look at how long a car sits on a lot before it's sold. Consistently a Prius is sold within a week. It's been either the lowest or one of the lowest cars in days on the lot.

Now...separately the list into two.

One for trucks, one for cars.

And why is the Camry mixed with the Solara?

Doesn't seem to be a very scientific list or comparison.

 

I agree, for someone that knows the type of vehicle they want, ads probably won't sway them into another category. I'm talking more about the big picture, the consciousness of America if you will. Our kids are bombarded with ads strongly implying they are better tougher men if they own a pickup/SUV. This has an impact.

You say most people buy the vehicle they need and it's my impression that, when it comes to SUVs, they do not. I don't know if there's any research to show for sure. Who would admit they don't really need the SUV, but they really wanted one, which is OK too BTW. I know many small families with SUVs. They definitely don't need them, except maybe 1% of the time. So the question becomes, do you want to pay for the extra capacity (at the pump with dollars and in lower quality of life for you and your kids due to greater emissions) 100% of the time, when you rarely use the extra capacity. In other words, do you need to haul a 5-6,000 pound metal box around with you everywhere? People with small cars seem to figure out how to move big loads when they need to.

Re people needing the trucks, again how many pickups do you see driving around with empty beds? I see them all the time.

 

This also does not account for the MAJOR discounts that were put in place last year by the big three. I know several people who only updated to a new truck last year b/c they could get it for so much off MSRP with employee pricing. I wonder how much of a hit they took this year for that?

And...while I'm sure there are plenty of people who do not need a full size truck...face it...not everyone can drive a hatchback with little ground clearance and little towing capability. I can...but it doesn't make sense for my father who does wordworking and remodeling.

We should be looking into options for making the cars and trucks people need....and want...to drive more fuel efficient and cleaner. Geez I'm so anti smug right now. I need to get out of the house.

 

With gas prices increasing, I have noticed quite a few dinosaurs (trucks) for sale on the local corner streets here. It would be interesting to see how this years numbers end up (or down). I know a few people at work that traded in their dinosaurs for more fuel effiecient cars.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jul 15 2006, 02:13 PM) [snapback]286814[/snapback]</div>

Because the Solara is a Camry with two doors. I remember when ads refered to it as camry solara. They camry got dropped for ease, and likely helped in sales. It's like with the Matrix. The car is just a Corolla wagon. It even says Coralla Matrix on the window sticker, but noone refers to it that way.

 

As someone who went to a car from an SUV, SUVs have other attributes than just "looking macho". One big one I miss is the high riding position, it makes visability much better and gives one a much more commanding view of the road. I also miss the ability to drive around without worrying about bottoming out on speed bumps and parking curbs etc.

Would I buy another truck based SUV? Probably not. Would I buy a crossover type SUV like a Lexus RX or Infiniti FX? Absolutely. As for gas mileage, the mileage in the Lexus isn't great, I get 18-19 city and 25 26 on the highway, since it requires premium fuel vs regular in my Explorer, the Lexus costs me MORE in gas.

Gotta remember, its not up to you or anyone else to decide for other people what they "need".

as for that list, thats really a list of fleet sales. The trucks and SUVs are probably at least 50% fleet.

 

The new Hummer commercials are absolutely ridiculous. One is a guy being encouraged to "get his manhood back" by driving a Hummer and the other is a playground spat between 2 moms where the loser "gets her girl on" by trading a Minivan for a Hummer. That really makes you wonder at the intelligence and self-image of the Hummer driver.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wstander @ Jul 16 2006, 07:00 PM) [snapback]287275[/snapback]</div>

I mean they sell a LOT of vehicles to corporations, local governments, rental car companies, etc. Thats not a list of the top 10 CONSUMER vehicles.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Jul 17 2006, 06:07 PM) [snapback]287863[/snapback]</div>

Unfortunately, I don't know that figures that exclude the above are readily available. Anyhow, here's the top 20 selling vehicles in the US thru June 06.

http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articlehybri...omktNews&rpc=44

You'll need to view the source since the formatting is messed up.

 

Unfortunately you're right, there aren't. I think the dropoff in Explorer sales for instance is because they've become more expensive and rental fleets aren't as interested in them.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Salsawonder @ Jul 16 2006, 06:34 PM) [snapback]287311[/snapback]</div>

Finally! Someone else has seen it. No one I know has. Made me think I was hallucinating. :blink:

The first time I saw this commercial I thought it was a joke, that I had Comedy Central on or something. The second time it disturbed me. The third time it made me irritated to think that someone was actually paid to come up with that concept.

The funny thing is, up here in Montana you never see a guy driving a Hummer. It's always a woman.

The few Prius I've seen have been driven by men.