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Why? Sedans and SUV's built on common architectures with common powertrains get near equivalent fuel mileage (Within a MPG or two overall). Hardly a difference that would drive buyers away from their preferred "shape" of vehicle.
The 1990's ended a long time ago, and so did the notion that most SUV's get significant worse fuel mileage than comparable sedans.
Agreed, I'd much rather have a wagon than a bloated CUV. Lots of cool options still in Europe. Unfortunately, the general US buying choices disagree with us
I have never understood how a vehicle so high could have such low ground clearance.
Over the last 10 years new car sales have fallen from 52% to just under 30% and falling further in the future as companies quit making cars. Light Truck category includes Pick UPs (best seller) SUVs and Crossovers are taking over the auto market place.
The people in the majority of the country prefer pickups over cars, plus a number of others go for SUVs. Here is the state by state comparison of most popular vehicle.
Last report I read was electric cars are only just over 2% of all car sales. So hardly making a dimple in the motor vehicle market. And sales are falling from last years high.
With the power outage problems in Calif and the possibility of it happening due to storms everywhere, it will be a reminder to many people to think twice about buying an electric car. They can haul in gas in power outage areas, and use generators to keep the pumps running, but when electricity is down, you don't charge electric cars.
It's not a coincidence that as americans have gotten fatter they require bigger cars to carry their heft.
Why? Sedans and SUV's built on common architectures with common powertrains get near equivalent fuel mileage (Within a MPG or two overall). Hardly a difference that would drive buyers away from their preferred "shape" of vehicle.
The 1990's ended a long time ago, and so did the notion that most SUV's get significant worse fuel mileage than comparable sedans.
They may not get significantly worse fuel mileage but they do get worse fuel mileage and when gas prices rise, people are going to care even if it's 3 or 5 miles extra per gallon. If you do the math, on a full tank, that's an extra 40-100 miles.
SUV's may share common architecture with sedans but they are still larger and are heavier so they tend to get worse gas mileage.
Trucks are the new thing, cars and SUVs are hitting their saturation point. Fortunately I live in an urban setting that makes truck usability less than ideal. I just hate seeing trucks speed through highways and change lanes like they are sports cars.
Trucks are the new thing?
The Ford F-150 is the best selling vehicle, car or truck, for the past 30 years. At the rate it is going it will surpass the best selling vehicle of all time, the Toyota Corolla.
They may not get significantly worse fuel mileage but they do get worse fuel mileage and when gas prices rise, people are going to care even if it's 3 or 5 miles extra per gallon. If you do the math, on a full tank, that's an extra 40-100 miles.
SUV's may share common architecture with sedans but they are still larger and are heavier so they tend to get worse gas mileage.
The thing is, when comparing apples to apples the mileage is not so great.
Example: Ford Edge and Fusion share architecture and powertrains.
The 2.0L AWD models get the following:
Edge MPG 21 City 28 Hwy 23 Combined
Fusion MPG 20 City 29 Hwy 23 Combined
This difference is minimal.
The Escape, which is on a smaller and lighter platform can be had with the 2.0L turbo too, but it does not net better mileage.
Escape 21 City 27 Highway 23 Combined
Fuel cost estimates for these are all the same. These are not the only examples one can find where vehicles sharing platforms and powertrains (apples to applies) have minimal fuel mileage differences.
The narrative that the modern SUV's that people crave and buy are all big heavy plodding gas hogs is not accurate anymore.
In the event of higher gas prices, it is MORE likely people will move more towards hybrid powertrains in the vehicle of their choice then to demand automakers restart dead assembly lines to build sedans that have been discontinued. This is why automakers are becoming increasingly emboldened to just drop those low profit vehicles altogether.
Except for the 4runner and some Jeeps SUV's today are not real SUV's, they are just station wagons wearing high heels. Nothing is really changing. Most people HATE real SUV's.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pilot1
^^^^^This is exactly correct. They are lifted, squared off MINIVANS on car platforms.
Most people, including 4runner and Jeep owners, never really need a BOF SUV. The minivan chasis handles much better and is much more comfortable for 95% of driving that people do.
Over the last 10 years new car sales have fallen from 52% to just under 30% and falling further in the future as companies quit making cars. Light Truck category includes Pick UPs (best seller) SUVs and Crossovers are taking over the auto market place.
The people in the majority of the country prefer pickups over cars, plus a number of others go for SUVs. Here is the state by state comparison of most popular vehicle.
Last report I read was electric cars are only just over 2% of all car sales. So hardly making a dimple in the motor vehicle market. And sales are falling from last years high.
With the power outage problems in Calif and the possibility of it happening due to storms everywhere, it will be a reminder to many people to think twice about buying an electric car. They can haul in gas in power outage areas, and use generators to keep the pumps running, but when electricity is down, you don't charge electric cars.
Unless you have a generator. Electrics will make major strides in market share when they can either provide range in excess of what one can stomach in a car or rapid refueling. The grid isn't a concern. Hurricanes have taught me that you might or might not be able to get gas, and you might or might not have power.
If you can't drive to Thanksgiving at Grandmother's House when Grandmother's house a six hour drive, people won't buy it. People do buy cars for 5% or less of their needs (IE, they drive 6 hours one way once a month or less. They still need a car to do it. Or tow a boat.)
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