Analog
Lifer
With gas prices topping $3 a gallon, consumers are showing signs of cooling on super-sized vehicles just as Detroit's automakers are preparing to roll out more of them.
Record-high gas prices are taking a visible toll on certain vehicle segments, such as large sport utility vehicles, while bolstering demand for sedans.
Not all gas-guzzlers are being penalized: Luxury car and pickup sales remain brisk. But many consumers are rethinking whether bigger is always better in a troubling sign for an already troubled industry. In recent years, Detroit's automakers have generated their profits mainly on the sale of SUVs and pickups.
Overall, U.S. auto sales were robust last month, rising 3.8 percent over August 2004 levels despite Hurricane Katrina. But a sales breakdown reveals an acceleration of trends favoring more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co. reported surging car sales but flat light truck sales, and Ford expects sales of its new four-door Explorer SUV may decline in 2006 -- a glum trajectory for a new vehicle. However, it has high hopes for its new cars.
"I can't think of a better time to introduce the (Ford) Fusion and (Mercury) Milan and have two hybrids available," said Ford sales analyst George Pipas.
Overall, the economy's strength and extended employee discounts bolstered last month's sales to an annualized rate of 16.8 million vehicles. While down from the pace set in June and July when employee discounts were first extended to all buyers, it is a robust selling rate. http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0509/02/A01-301633.htm
Record-high gas prices are taking a visible toll on certain vehicle segments, such as large sport utility vehicles, while bolstering demand for sedans.
Not all gas-guzzlers are being penalized: Luxury car and pickup sales remain brisk. But many consumers are rethinking whether bigger is always better in a troubling sign for an already troubled industry. In recent years, Detroit's automakers have generated their profits mainly on the sale of SUVs and pickups.
Overall, U.S. auto sales were robust last month, rising 3.8 percent over August 2004 levels despite Hurricane Katrina. But a sales breakdown reveals an acceleration of trends favoring more fuel-efficient vehicles.
Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co. reported surging car sales but flat light truck sales, and Ford expects sales of its new four-door Explorer SUV may decline in 2006 -- a glum trajectory for a new vehicle. However, it has high hopes for its new cars.
"I can't think of a better time to introduce the (Ford) Fusion and (Mercury) Milan and have two hybrids available," said Ford sales analyst George Pipas.
Overall, the economy's strength and extended employee discounts bolstered last month's sales to an annualized rate of 16.8 million vehicles. While down from the pace set in June and July when employee discounts were first extended to all buyers, it is a robust selling rate. http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0509/02/A01-301633.htm
