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Car sales outnumber light trucks in March

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by nerfer, Apr 2, 2008.

  1. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

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    I didn't hear about this anywhere else, but a column looking at domestic sales of cars & trucks (includes SUVs) had this to say:
    "Similar patterns were seen in U.S. sales of imported cars and light trucks, with March marking an important milestone: the 668 thousand total U.S. sales of light trucks (imported plus domestic) was less than the 684 thousand cars sold. Meanwhile, sales of the gas-stingy Prius continued to set a new record."​

    Some interesting charts (be sure to read the description) at the full article.
     
    #1 nerfer, Apr 2, 2008
  2. micheal

    micheal I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

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    Very interesting. Perhaps the pendulum has finally started to swing with $3+ a gallon.
     
    #2 micheal, Apr 2, 2008
  3. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    This is particularly significant for one reason.

    Because of the favorable CAFE and Safety breaks, vehicles classified as "Light Trucks" can be more thirsty and less safe than "Cars".

    Most light trucks are allowed to emit 75 percent to 175 percent more smog-causing nitrogen oxides than even the biggest cars.

    Each manufacturer is required to build a fleet of cars with an average fuel economy of 27.5 miles a gallon, but light trucks have to clear a bar of just 20.7 miles a gallon.

    Light trucks are exempt from the federal gas-guzzler tax, which covers cars that get less than 22.5 miles a gallon.


    So, over the last decade manufacturers have re-classified a lot of what would have been called "Cars" into "Light Trucks" to get those breaks.

    Subaru raised the Forester 1/2 inch so they could call it a Truck and wouldn't have it count against their car CAFE.

    Following that almost every "Tall Wagon" you see is really a Light Truck.

    Pacifica? Volvo V70? Audi Allroad Quattro? - Light Truck

    CRV? Rav4? - Light Truck

    Minivan? - Light Truck

    PT Cruiser? Chevy HHR? Scion XB? Element? Saturn VUE? - Light Truck

    Dodge Magnum? - Light Truck (Yes, it's True :) ) - Now theres one that really ducks the guzzler tax.

    And the list goes on.

    So, when people are buying "Cars" instead of "Trucks" they are REALLY making a change in purchasing decisions.
     
    #3 Tempus, Apr 3, 2008
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