3 cheers for fuel efficiency! Maybe the city folk have finally stopped buying trucks.

Watch Ford and GM tumble as the jappas start coming into there own.

I'm suprised so many people are buying cars... especially with the recession.

Can't afford to refill your F-150? Bwahahahaha!!!

SUV: GAME OVER

Yeah. Three cheers! We are being manipulated by opec and the mushroom-licking tree-huggers and paying for it with a smile on our face. Let's cheer some more, maybe they stick it to us even harder.

Jake, go fly a kite. You're an SUV driver that doesn't tow or take it off road I bet. Excessive lifestyles (read: people who don't NEED SUVs) are to blame for all this mess with oil.

SUV: GAME OVER.

30+ mpg club checking in...LOL at stupid people driving a huge vehicle just to commute to work.

Again, are you guys do is speculate. Who is driving a Ford F series to commute? Think before you speak, or in this case type. As everyone can plainly see the F series are still selling. Those who need them will buy them.

Note: (I was not alive in the 70's, so I have no first had experience).

People don't commute in F series? WTF? I know several people that drive trucks, and commute and do what ever else they need to in them. And what is the difference between someone who occasionally needs the capacity of a truck (having it as their only vehicle) and soccer mom driving the Honda Pilot?

I'm happy to see the smaller cars making a come back, but people need to get a clue. Truck will always be here, they HAVE to be. SUV's, well we can all go back to the minivan for all I care.

My GM will get on the ball and bring back the El Camino....OH OH and in a crew cab version! It would be the anti-Explorer Sport Trac!

I'm one of those people who are very happy to see less and less trucks and SUVs on the road. Why do I dislike them so?

(1) They're big and bulky and block my view on the road.
(2) They're big and bulky and with so many people not knowing how to maneuver a truck or a SUV skillfully, they have scraped/hit/bumped/dented my coupe. I hate them!!
(3) They are a danger on the road. Too big, too heavy, and has more potential to cause greater collateral damage than smaller cars.

I do feel sorry for those who depend on trucks for their livelihood but toward those who simply buy them for luxury/status/personal reasons, I'm very happy to see these posers losing out.

Most trucks are purchased by business and the US government. This probably has more to do with construction being in the crapper than it has to do with truck drivers buying little cars.

Actually, the bad news is that there are still over 40k F-series trucks being sold every month. Not sure what part in that number is attributed to construction industry, but there are a lot of those used in daily commute.

"And what is the difference between someone who occasionally needs the capacity of a truck (having it as their only vehicle) and soccer mom driving the Honda Pilot?"

@ Brian

Because te soccor mom actually fills her vehicle up with little ones, strollers and toys.

How "occasional" is the truck needed? You didn't mention it. If it's as in when I buy a new TV, move a sofa or do some yardwork...get real.

You can rent a small/large truck for $35-55, or better yet, put a hitch on your family sedan that will easily tow a $199 small trailer with a sofa and chair in it. The gas cost you save in a month would easily rent you a truck twice and pay for the trailer/hitch within a few months.

But what will the people in Big Love drive? Entering the compound in a sensible car with high mpg just doesn't have the same impact.

Jorge: "Who is driving a Ford F series to commute?"

Forget about commuting to work, Im still in high school and probably 60% of the students here commute to SCHOOL in a truck or SUV, and many of my friends do just that... with only one person in the entire car. useless.
Thing is, most of the people driving those trucks (suv's in particular) say they like to feel safe in a car. Fair enough. And then they complain about having to pay so much for gas. useless.

myself? Im proud to say i have a 98 corolla. active safety > passive safety

All I have to say is that soccer moms don't need an SUV. They would do just as well in a 4-cylinder minivan. Better fuel economy w/ more utility (for soccer mom uses anyways).

For those that need a truck:

Buy a used truck and a used corolla. That way you can do whatever you need the truck for and still get good MPG the rest of the time.

We all feel sorry for those who need a fuel consuming vehicle as part of their job. The only good news is that all of your competitors do too, so you should be able to pass the fuel costs on to your customers/employers.

Most of the world has gone decades with gas more expensive than ours is now. Stop whining.

Ford sucks.

Why does it matter what people use trucks or SUVs for? So what if someone in the city wants to buy an F150 and commute to work, good for them, that's their decision.

I don't own one and both of my cars get 30+ hwy, but I wish I did because I end up having to tow with my one car.

People who say "you don't need an SUV" are real funny. There are a lot of things people don't need and I don't hear anyone complaining about those. Look around your house, most of the things are "wants" not "needs". If you don't like SUVs or American cars, that's fine, but don't make it a "you don't need it" issue. I'm also not an "american only" car guy. I buy whatever I can get the best deal on that is good quality.

Without TRUCK drivers out there this country will stop breathing..Pick-up trucks like red blood cell in your body, we need trucks to supply your ( whinning small car lovers) need when you can not do it in Corolas or Civics.Stop whining ,just use truck wisely.

Without TRUCK drivers out there this country will stop breathing..Pick-up trucks like red blood cell in your body, we need trucks to supply your ( whinning small car lovers) need when you can not do it in Corolas or Civics.Stop whining ,just use truck wisely.

Without TRUCK drivers out there this country will stop breathing..Pick-up trucks like red blood cell in your body, we need trucks to supply your ( whinning small car lovers) need when you can not do it in Corolas or Civics.Stop whining ,just use truck wisely.

@ Silverarrow

You tipe good English. Maibe you get spel chek on kompyutir to mayk moar since win you tipe. By thee whay, my body have moar then one red blood cell. Thank you for driving truck to supply my need. I go use SUV wisely now. Peece out!

Man you guys are soooooooooooo happy that people who have large cars are having trouble with gas prices. For some strange reason you see it as justified punishment for their supposedly concious ills perpetrated against society. "That's right. I hope those stupid stupid fart faced stinky pants sit on the side of the road in their fat fatty fat pants SUV and die of heat exposure. That'll teach 'em!" Your arrogant trash talk really makes me sick sometimes. Get a life and leave this forum for those who want to have fun lighthearted conversation about all types of cars and cultures.

Very strange!

Why would you be happy that Honda Civic is outselling Ford F-150's? The sharp decline in F-150 sales like all full sized pickups is directly related to the housing market. The housing market is so bad that blue collar folks who depend on housing sales to feed their families are hurting so bad that they can't afford to buy much needed equipment such as a new pickup to work their trade.

The decline in Full Sized Pickups is much more closely tied to the housing market rather than the cost of fuel since they are the vehicles of choice for construction related work.

As for the Full Sized Pickups, what is a family with 4 kids who want to take vacations together suppose to do? Bring two Honda Civics with Cargo carriers rather than one big SUV on their trip?

What’s wrong with you people???

Another reason I would be very happy to see large SUVs and trucks get wiped out is also because of some rude SUV and truck drivers. Some on them act like bullies on the road, just because they have bigger cars. I know it is immature and inconsiderate, but I experience a tinge of evil pleasure when I see overturned SUVs and trucks and wrecked trucks on the side of the road. Yes, I'm only human but I'm just being honest.

My wife drives a Honda Accord and I drive a Buick Lucerne so don't peg me as some kind of SUV lover but what the hell is wrong in America that someone should not be allowed to own or drive an SUV??? All these SUV hating folks are just plain stupid! If someone wants to own a Yukon Denali XL and can afford it then WHY NOT??? Some folks have a large family and a van just does not cut it. If I had children, I would without hesitation buy a large SUV for my wife and family to keep them safe. Why in hell would I put then in some eco friendly coffin??? This is America and in America we are free to choose (within reason) what we drive. Who the hell are you to say otherwise???

I say if you want to play then you have to pay...

If you like your Prius then good for you. Don't be a jerk about it!

Yeah, what he said!

XP > Vista

How can a SUV meet family requirements that a Minivan cannot? Minivans have a lot more utility for family orientated things than a SUV does.

I have no issue with you driving an SUV if you are willing to pay the money for the gas without complaints. However I do not see how a Minivan is any less family orientated.

My family has 3 trucks and one teenage driver. I put her in the biggest and heaviest vehicle I own--because in case of accidents physics is her friend! I cannot afford a newer vehicle with airbags therefore I rely on her common sense and physics. You just cannot find a Tuna Boat these days!

@Garrret:
Agreed. It all comes down to marketing hype. The Minivan essentially replaced the station wagon (they are called sport wagons now). In the 90's SUV's were marketed as hipper and sexier replacements for the "boring" minivan. The public took to them like lemmings and casually discarded the inherent drivability problems associated with 4wd , high ground clearance vehicles. ( that is higher probility of turnovers, higher fuel consumption, weight, and decrease space compared to a similiar sized minivan). Now that gas prices are at record highs, people are trying to unload them in droves ( and getting kicked in the pants at resale).

People can choose to buy what they want. However, It amazes me that history is repeating itself ( I was a child in the 1970's during the fuel crunches and remember even/odd days). This article does not really surprise me. People are assessing their commutes (and vehicle needs) with vehicles that are more efficient. Full size trucks have their place for contractors, towing, etc. But the casual truck buyer is becoming more scarce. For those who say these vehicles are safer, they are right and wrong. Right, in that physics do come into play and the advantage will usually go to one driving a larger vehicle. Wrong, because mass works against them in handling, efficiency, stopping, and emergency manuvers. Factor that every passenger vehicle has an integrated safety cage, crumple zones, and passive/active safety measures and the argument for larger vehicles does not hold as much weight (pardon the pun).

probability - sp

I hate all of you in 4 wheel gas guzzling 4 cylinder engine cars. You block my view and endanger my life driving by yourself in your oversized 4 door 2800 lb hunk of metal. I think gas needs to be $15 a gallon to really teach you a lesson in your pathetic 30-35 mpg beasts. I laugh at you as I fill my 75 mpg scooter every week with 2.5 gallons!!!!!!!!!!

Seems as valid to hate cars as to hate SUV's?????

Have a large family? Buy a Toyota Sienna, or a Honda Odyssey, or a Nissan Quest, or even a Hyundai Entourage. There is NO NEED to buy an SUV because you have a large family. A minivan holds just as many people, and probably has more cargo area (unless you go for a Suburban or Sequioa). And the minivan is bound to be cheaper and safer.

Another BS artical. Those that need a work truck will not be using a HONDA car to haul 1/2 ton of block? The IQ of the editer is lower than the MPG of the F150. They must write these artcals just for the blogers to rant over, nothing but trolls....

Toyota is still outselling Honda though.

@ Doc

The article isn't BS nor is the author's IQ low. The article just presents facts.

The last time a car took the number 1 selling spot was in 1992, which was the Ford Taurus. The F-Series trucks have been on the number 1 selling spot for over a decade. In fact, only for one month in 1995 did Chevy's truck ever outsell the F-Series.

In light of this info and due to drastic decrease in sales, GM is closing 4 truck/SUV factories.

Face it, the auto industry is changing. Whether you like it or not.

@ whatever:
'I hate all of you in 4 wheel gas guzzling 4 cylinder engine cars. You block my view and endanger my life driving by yourself in your oversized 4 door 2800 lb hunk of metal. I think gas needs to be $15 a gallon to really teach you a lesson in your pathetic 30-35 mpg beasts. I laugh at you as I fill my 75 mpg scooter every week with 2.5 gallons!!!!!!!!!!

Seems as valid to hate cars as to hate SUV's?????'

I love scooter drivers - when they go too slow and get in my way I just run them off the road with my Smart car!

Jason you are surprised to see people buying cars because of the Recession? Does everyone in the world live in your state?

People think they will save money this way when really they don't. The new car cost will far exceed their increased costs in fuel from the price increase unless they can pay for most of the new car on a trade. A new car also adds much more polution from the energy used to build it than just keeping your old car.

But hey, everyone loves a new car so go out and spend.

A recession doesn't make everyone 'poor'. It doesn't effect everyone equally. Some do drop into poverty. But others get richer. Most merely find they need to tighten their belts somewhat compared to their previous standard of living.

That said, for many, when it's time for a new car, it is time for a new car, period. At that point, the recession doesn't STOP them from buying new. But it does affect WHICH car they buy. Maybe they buy a smaller car. Maybe they buy a less luxurious or less powerful model of the same car.

All the arguments about the merits of buying new vs buying used vs not buying at all still apply, regardless of whether the economy is growing normally or not. But, during a recession, many people take a single step down from more optimistic purchasing stances.

Dan, go p1ss up a rope. I don't have an SUV, I drive a Civic. So much for your dumb assumptions. I also don't believe in restricting peoples freedom. And the business practices of Opec are illegal in most of the civilized world. It is called collusion.

>>>For some strange reason you see it as justified punishment for their supposedly concious ills perpetrated against society.<<<
The reason, for many, is that we dislike waste; we find such large vehicles on the road obnoxious (can't see around them, they pose more danger to us, etc), and we are tired of the attitude of many of the drivers.

That's why SUVs we the poster-child long before trucks... because SUVs were more driven for choice where trucks were driven for need. We respect need.

>>>Why would you be happy that Honda Civic is outselling Ford F-150's?>>As for the Full Sized Pickups, what is a family with 4 kids who want to take vacations together suppose to do>>My family has 3 trucks and one teenage driver. I put her in the biggest and heaviest vehicle I own--because in case of accidents physics is her friend!<<<
So since her driving will make her vehicle into a weapon, you thought she should have the most deadly (and difficult to control) weapon you could manage? How sociopathic of you.

For those of you advecating Mini-vans over SUV, here is a quick selection of fuel efficiency. Bottom, line - to all you SUV haters there is nothing wrong with having an SUV if you really need one - i.e. family. A smart shopper can purchase a fuel effecient SUV. Try going for week-long camping trip with a family of 4 in a Honda civic. The fuel economy will all but dissappear with a fully loaded civic with a cargo box.

For all those that talk bad about people communiting in their SUVs - do you know their reason for doing so? We can't afford to have two cars, so we have one that covers it all. I commute on public transit, and my wife drives in because public transit is not an option since she needs to pick-up kids from school etc..

BTW we have a CRV.

From www.fueleconomy.gov:

Mini-vans:
Honda Odyssey: 17/25 mpg
Toyota Sienna (2WD): 17/23
Toyota Sienna (4WD): 16/21
Kia Sedona: 16/23
Chrysler Voyager (2007): 19/26

SUV small:
Honda CRV (2WD): 20/27
Honda CRV (4WD): 20/26
Toyota RAV (4WD - 2.4L): 20/25
Toyota RAV (4WD - 3.5L): 19/26
Ford Escape(4WD - 2.3L): 19/24

SUV:
Honda Pilot (2WD - 2008): 16/22
Toyota Highlander (4WD): 17/23
Chevrolet Equinox (AWD 3.4L): 17/24

Mr. Kay,

Most posters won't be able to deal with hard cold facts. Take your shenanigans elsewhere. No, but seriously people need to calm down some.

On a lighter note, have you seen the MPG numbers for the Hybrid versions of the Escape, Mariner and Tribute? 34/30. Crazy you can't make snide remarks at those numbers. But regardless some will try.

We used to have a honda pilot but the 60 mile commute really sucked. Suv kinda useless and we hardly used the 3rd row. so we dumped it for a civic hybrid and spent 2500 on a used dogdge dakota which my wife uses 2-3 times a month for home depot garden duties. works out great. Insuring the 3rd vehicle only cost 200 bucks a year. the hybrid gets us 50 miles a gallion so in like 2 years we break even plus she gets to drive in the carpool lane which saves us time. and time is money.

Truck sales will decline but not completely disappear. I believe most people see trucks as the weekend vehicle now. As a weekend vehicle, you don't necessarily need to replace your truck as often as your primary commuter car. This will probably mean people will buy a truck once maybe every 10 years or pick up one used since they won't be putting on too much mileage.

As for Minivan's being more efficient, that is a bit of a lie. Most SUVs (except full-size ones) use unibody construction making them just as light as minivans. They also share similar drivetrain components. (The V6 engine of the Sienna is used by the RAV4 & Highlander). The aerodynamic efficiencies are similar.