Sure, we all know that sales of big SUVs have been driven down by higher gas prices, but Autobytel‘s latest “Consumer Choice” report shows that we’ve only seen the beginning of a fuel price-driven restructuring of the automotive landscape. Based on online purchase requests for the second quarter of 2006 compared to the first quarter, here are some losers:
- Jeep Grand Cherokee: -58 percent
- Dodge Ram: -47 percent
- Ford F-150: -40 percent
- Hummer H3: -39 percent
- Dodge Charger: -29 percent
- Chrysler 300: -13 percent
As you might expect, just about every small car on the market showed a surge in demand in the same period.
According to Autobytel, Q2 was the first quarter where trucks really felt the impact of higher fuel prices, with year-over-year purchase requests way down for the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan, Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram.
Autobytel’s current “Hot List” for the second quarter:
- Toyota Yaris
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Toyota FJ Cruiser (style trumps fuel economy)
- Honda Fit
- Lexus ES 350
- Toyota RAV4 (a fuel-efficient big SUV replacement?)
- Honda Civic
- Dodge Caliber
- Hyundai Sonata
- Ford Escape Hybrid (fuel-efficient, with incentive pricing)
[Source: Autobytel Inc.]