MT bucket
08-26-2008, 08:45 AM
Fuel efficiency, once an afterthought on dealer lots, helps drive small car sales past big trucks in Minnesota. (http://www.startribune.com/business/27413889.html?page=1&c=y)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Honda_Civic_LX-S_Sedan.jpgEmma Carew - Star Tribune - Aug. 26, 2008
2009 Honda Civic - 29 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
Minnesota is mirroring the country and it looks like Honda is on top of its game. -- Ed.
With auto sales slumping and gas prices soaring, there's been one bright spot: small cars. The vehicles auto makers used to lose money making are now the hottest ones on the lot.
In Minnesota, with its long devotion to big pickup trucks to haul boats to 10,000 lakes, subcompact cars overtook full-size pickups for market share leader in the first half of 2008. Also tying for the top spot, with a 15.9 percent market share: mid-size cars.
"I think people across the country are revisiting what they need in a vehicle," Honda spokesman Chris Martin said.
When gas spiked to more than $4 a gallon earlier this summer and demand skyrocketed for fuel-efficient cars like Honda Civics and Ford Focuses, many manufacturers, who usually plan production six months to a year in advance, were caught off guard and scrambled to adjust their inventories… http://www.startribune.com/business/27413889.html?page=1&c=y
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Honda_Civic_LX-S_Sedan.jpgEmma Carew - Star Tribune - Aug. 26, 2008
2009 Honda Civic - 29 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
Minnesota is mirroring the country and it looks like Honda is on top of its game. -- Ed.
With auto sales slumping and gas prices soaring, there's been one bright spot: small cars. The vehicles auto makers used to lose money making are now the hottest ones on the lot.
In Minnesota, with its long devotion to big pickup trucks to haul boats to 10,000 lakes, subcompact cars overtook full-size pickups for market share leader in the first half of 2008. Also tying for the top spot, with a 15.9 percent market share: mid-size cars.
"I think people across the country are revisiting what they need in a vehicle," Honda spokesman Chris Martin said.
When gas spiked to more than $4 a gallon earlier this summer and demand skyrocketed for fuel-efficient cars like Honda Civics and Ford Focuses, many manufacturers, who usually plan production six months to a year in advance, were caught off guard and scrambled to adjust their inventories… http://www.startribune.com/business/27413889.html?page=1&c=y