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"You can put a fork in" SUV sales, said Erich Merkle. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121200752206127227.html?mod=AutosChannelMain_RelatedStories)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/07_Ford_Expedition.jpgTerry Kosdrosky - WSJ - May 29, 2008

DETROIT -- The traditional truck-based sport-utility vehicle, the behemoth of American roads that helped fuel profits of automotive companies, is dying quickly.

Rising fuel prices, aging baby boomers and the advent of so-called crossover utility vehicles -- wagons that offer size and space but are based on car platforms -- are pushing aside the SUVs and the profits they bring.

Ford Motor Co. said last week it would further chop production of pickup trucks and SUVs this year and added it wouldn't meet its goal of returning to profitability in 2009. The company pointed to high fuel prices in recent weeks accelerating the shift away from pickups and SUVs toward cars and crossovers.

While Ford has strong-selling cars and crossovers, the revenue and profit margins for those vehicles aren't as high as they are for SUVs or pickups. General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC face a similar dilemma. Foreign auto makers have also recorded steep declines in sales of full-size SUVs in recent months, but the U.S. companies suffer the effects of the consumer shift more deeply, as they are more dependent on those vehicles for their profit margins… http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121200752206127227.html?mod=AutosChannelMain_RelatedStories

Anyone looking for a 2003 Honda Pilot EXL?:(

How about a 02 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 with sunroof?:D

Still a few defensive people screaming about their right to have these land barges, but most are wanting to trade to some thing more sensible.

Turns out my next door neighbor works for a Honda dealership. SUVs have been a deal-breaker on trade-ins - over half are just too deep on their loan of what they are driving right now - stuck.

I have no problem with people driving FSPs - just as long as they don't expect me to subsidise them. (as we all know big oil is massively subsidised)

Let's say we are talking about water and lived in the US West...like Nevada.

Lakes are shrinking along with tourism, rationing, higher food prices.

All this and some homes water the lawn in the middle of a summer day so they are golfable - is that their right? Until a few years ago, this was the situation in Dallas/Fort Worth, when local cities banned daylight watering in the summer.

May I suggest this is not unlike gratously driving a land barge out of whim - not need, then our fuel-based economy gets into our current situation?

I have no problem with SUV's as long as they are pedal-powered and only parked at home.

When they start selling the 2009 Ford Expedition for under two grand, I should buy one!
Since I will only drive it 1000 to 1500 miles a year, what's the harm?:p

Ah dang! I forgot. I wouldn't have space left in the garage for our bicycles!!
Never mind!!

When prices drop far enough for FSP's I'll get in the market. I've always wanted one of those huge pickups for the one day out of a hundred I actually need to pull something or move stuff around.

But you can imagine it would get about uh...a hundred miles a year. Maybe a bit more so the E10 in it doesn't separate into water. :p

I wonder what the feasibility of a shared truck would be. If lets say 10 people got together and purchased a truck and then shared costs.

I wonder what the feasibility of a shared truck would be. If lets say 10 people got together and purchased a truck and then shared costs.


I wonder if you could get one of those giant diesel SUVs cheap? And convert it to run on McGrease?