With world fuel prices reaching all-time highs even the owners of those ubiquitous, fuel-guzzling SUVs are starting to feel the pinch.
With world fuel prices reaching all-time highs even the owners of those ubiquitous, fuel-guzzling SUVs are starting to feel the pinch.
In the US, sales of full-sized sport utility vehicles have tumbled recently, while the sale of more fuel-efficient options have boomed. In a sign that the higher cost of fuel has affected sales in SUV-country, the American Automobile Association said that manufacturers preferred to gloss over the impact fuel prices have had on their sales.
Although this has yet to be reflected in national sales figures, unconfirmed evidence from dealers suggested many SUV owners were considering trading in their tanks for traditional saloons, or opting for a model with a smaller – or diesel – engine than their current vehicle.
Industry analysts mentioned a "little slowdown" in SUV sales, and felt that the boom is now over. One of the biggest losers is GM’s Hummer that, infamous for its fuel sapping abilities is now being offered at discounted prices.
A case in point is that full-sized SUVs sat on US dealer lots for 68 days last month compared with just 50 days a year ago. Records of unsold big SUVs rose to about 100 days’ supply in April, from an average of 70 days’ supply.
