Check out this stat: one in every seven sales of the Ford F-150 goes to a Texan. According to this article from Bloomberg, which combines some good statistical research with anecdotal evidence culled from dealers in the trenches, that trend is beginning to change. With $3/gallon gas seemingly here for the long haul, big trucks and SUVs are spending 132 to 147 days on dealers lots since Katrina, which is up from an 89-day average early last year. Meanwhile, cars with above average fuel economy like the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Hybrid and the new Fit subcompact are flying off the lot according to the dealers who sell them. Of course, the one exception to the rule is GM's new family of large SUVs that includes the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, both of which are selling briskly. Texans, however, are probably eager for the Tahoe Hybrid and its 25-percent increase in fuel efficiency to arrive in 2007.
[Source: Bloomberg]
[Source: Bloomberg]
