Since many commuters feel like they live in their cars these days, they are seeking home-like conveniences and entertainment options. And the consumer electronics companies are more than ready to accommodate them. There’s only one problem–space. In most cars and SUVs, there’s just not enough room for all the electronic gizmos that could be offered, so there is a silent battle going on, the battle for interior room, not for people, but for their electronics. Read more . . .
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Consumer demand for sport utility vehicles is weakening, according to recent transaction data from the Power Information Network (PIN). The data show that the number of days SUVs sit on dealer lots before selling has increased substantially over 2003. SUV prices have also declined while average new-vehicle prices have increased. To counter the downward trend manufacturers have increased incentives more on SUVs than they did on any other type of new vehicle from June to July. Read more . . .
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As oil passes the $50 per barrel mark, and gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles generate headlines, it is worth noting that there is more than one way to attain improved fuel economy. Yet, as gas prices continue to rise across the country, the need for more fuel-efficient trucks and SUVs is becoming more prevalent. While gas-electric hybrid engines have been hailed for their fuel-savings, they’re still an expensive option available on a limited number of vehicles. Read more . . .
Beginning in 2008, any car or SUV that cannot meet a fuel efficiency standard of 30 miles per gallon will have to pay a guzzler tax of $1,000 per year. That is the proposal of three top executives at Fred Alger Management, a money management firm, delivered in a letter they sent to President George W. Bush recently. The firm says the proposed tax could generate “as much as $200 billion in revenue” in its first year, and “may increase in subsequent years.” Read more . . .
Don’t look now but some people who are buying off-road-capable vehicles like SUVs are actually taking them off-road. In fact, the trend has become so significant that the U.S. Forest Service just created a new regulation to standardize the way off-highway routes are designated in the lands it administers. The goal is to change the haphazard way trails and the vehicles that can use them are authorized to protect the forests while still allowing use by a large number of Americans. Predictably, the new rule is drawing fire from both environmentalists and gung-ho off-road vehicle fans. Read more . . .