SUVs at a crossroads
Ford
General Auto News
Nissan
Toyota
June 15, 2010 12:00 AM ShareThis
SUVs at a crossroads
With sales dwindling and crossovers becoming increasingly popular, the traditional sports utility vehicle is facing an uncertain future, but fans of the vehicles can find deals on older models by shopping on the used car market.
According to MSN Auto, the traditional SUV has struggled amid worries about fuel economy and a shrinking customer base. In addition, crossover vehicles – smaller models based on passenger car platforms, are usurping SUV’s spot as the most popular seller.
That doesn’t mean automakers are abandoning the SUV, however. Ford recently redesigned its flagship SUV, the Explorer, to address concerns about fuel economy. The new Explorer gets 25 mpg and runs on a modified car body, but its exterior is all-truck.
Traditional SUV fans may also want to look at models like the Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder.
Utility sales (crossovers and SUVS) currently account for 28 percent of the total car market, but crossovers make up 77 percent of that.
However, there was a time when SUVs dominated the landscape, and for memories of that, drivers should look no further than the used car market.
Drivers who want the traditional off-roading capabilities along with the extra space should shop the used car dealers for the classic models of just a few years ago. While these cars once fetched a high price, their dwindling popularity has caused many used car dealers to offer significant savings.ADNFCR-2112-ID-19836398-ADNFCR