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"Fuel costs are a challenge for the entire industry." (http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hmiXUg0s7CMnX-ws31aR-34B9kww)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_Honda_Fit.jpgCanadian Press – Jan. 4, 2008

2007 Canadian Honda Fit sales were up a record 21% over 2006. Canadian passenger car sales as a whole however fell almost 1% while light truck sales volume increased 6.1% over the previous year :confused: -- Ed.

CALGARY - Soaring oil prices are prompting consumers to ditch gas guzzlers for more fuel-efficient models, according the Scotiabank's automotive industry specialist.

Last year's U.S. sales of sport utility vehicles were down by a third from their peak in 2001, Carlos Gomes said from Toronto on Friday, as the price of crude oil retreated to under US$98 a barrel after hitting a record $100.09 a day earlier.

"I think that clearly highlights the shift in vehicle purchasing habits that is occurring, not only in the United States, but also in Canada as well," he said.

Gomes said sales of so-called crossover utility vehicles, similar to SUVs but generally lighter and thriftier, have jumped from one million in 2001 to 2.8 million in 2007.

And hybrid vehicles, powered by both gasoline and electric motors, have seen sales go up by 40 to 50 per cent over that time frame, Gomes added.

"They're still a fairly small portion of the market, but definitely we are seeing people shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles."

Railways and airlines whose businesses rely on diesel and jet fuel are also feeling the pinch. Some have passed on higher costs to customers, while others have held back their fuel costs through futures contracts … http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hmiXUg0s7CMnX-ws31aR-34B9kww

yeah its wacked with us paying almost the 4 dollar a US a gallon, i still see a big desire for fast, big cars. Even I get hooked sometimes... but then I'm reminded of the type of driving on a day like boxing day, and boy I really wish I had a EV kei car that went at least 100 km/h!

The people who can afford a $75,000 luxury SUV are rich enough to not care if gasoline hits $10/gallon. They certainly don't care that their selfish habits make energy much more expensive for the majority of us with more modest means.

At least I've been seeing a lot more compact cars in my neighborhood over the past two years. There's three Fits, an Aevo, a Matrix, a Yaris, two Prius, a TCH, a bunch of Civics, and a couple of Scions. So that's an improvement. The local eyesore -- the huge Hummer -- hasn't moved in two weeks.

On my motorcycle trip to the Gaspe 6 years ago, I noticed that there were very few pickup trucks and SUV's on Quebec roads, and many small cars, like the Toyota Echo. My experience is that Canadians have already made the switch to smaller cars. Perhaps Quebec drivers made the switch more than the other provinces, who are now seeing the light.

Harry

Although I'm still seeing far too many "pleasure and commuter" pickups for my own tastes, the only SUVs that I see on a regular basis are the luxury types. I have seen more Aveos and Echoes and Fits in the last month than any period before this. The street that I live on has seen the larger 6 and 8-cylinder cars go bye-bye; I was the only person who owned a 4-cylinder car that made over 30mpg a few months ago - but now there are more and more people buying smaller cars.

And that, at least for now, is a good thing.

Unfortunately, I'm surrounded by big SUVs every morning on my commute to downtown Dallas, TX. Even more frustrating, every Suburban or Hummer that passes me is occupied by only one occupant - the driver.

Better than a single occupant -- the passenger!!! :eek:

Seriously though, that is one of my pet peeves as well. If you are going to drive a truck, at least use it for one! I feel guilty just driving my 4dr sedan when I'm the only one in it --what about all these pick-ups with no cargo I see day after day??

Hi Sean:

___If it is a Ranger or Tacoma with a 5MT and the guy is hypermiling … :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Sean:

___If it is a Ranger or Tacoma with a 5MT and the guy is hypermiling … :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Then he is excused. :)

The guy driving the F350 Super-Crew Power Stroke Diesel Dually down to McDonald's, however, is not.

What Shifty said. :D

I, like many of you, have been caught in this gas price crunch with one fairly energy efficient vehicle (the RRSB Saturn) and one that is not energy efficient regardless how you drive it (my 4 Runner). My wife and I have made the best of the situation with my using the Saturn for my 92 mile daily commute and she uses the 4 Runner for her 8 mile daily commute. I would like to buy a second energy efficient car but am holding off for a better selection. I would like to see a real good PHEV or some of these direct injection turbo diesels from Europe show up.

Having one energy efficient car takes the urgency off getting a second.

Bob.

Within the last few years in my location the commuting has change from big SUVs and trucks to Mid-size cars and hybrids. Every other car on the road is a Toyota Prius, Camry or Hyundai Elentra and a modest amount of Corollas and Civics. SUV's are dying out but large trucks are still roaming about near or on the freeways.

Unfortunately, I'm surrounded by big SUVs every morning on my commute to downtown Dallas, TX. Even more frustrating, every Suburban or Hummer that passes me is occupied by only one occupant - the driver.The ones that rant at me: "I need this Suburban - or whatever" :rolleyes:

Just like yesterday, a big black pickup tailgating me in the rightmost lane does the "FU left pass", then seconds later is also tailgating someone else two lanes to the left of me on the freeway. Difference is today it's an F250 with the wheels jacked up - not an F150, and he farted a big diesel cloud. :rolleyes: