Pocono News Section

SUV Sales Fall as Gas Prices Rise

SUV Sales Fall as Gas Prices Rise - Saturday, June 14, 2008 at 7:47PM EST

Saturday, Jun 14, 2008 @ 07:47pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- The SUV has reigned supreme for the better part of two decades, but now the mighty SUV has at long last fallen - done in by mounting fuel prices. The new trend at the dealership is putting the brakes on large SUV sales.

Times are tough with gas prices guzzling up our hard earned cash. It takes about a $120 a week to fill Jose Rivera's Ford Expedition. "With the price of gas, nobody wants the big trucks anymore, you need to save money on gas," he said.

For him and his family, the SUV is a necessity, not a luxury. Now though, they're considering a smaller more fuel efficient car. “We're actually thinking about it, but we have a big family, but to get something small to beat around in," he said.

Car dealers say they're seeing some new trends too. Smaller cars with better gas mileage are selling quickly. Pompey Dodge owner Charles Pompey said, "We started to anticipate this in February. We actually ordered 50 calibers, economy cars, and are selling most of those right now."

Those gas guzzling trucks and SUV's have reduced price specials for good reason. Drivers like Jose Rivera are growing tired of the expensive ride. "The bigger the cheaper, what I paid for this, compared to now it's a big price difference," he said.

At Roche's Garage in Wilkes-Barre workers here say the price of gas doesn't affect SUV sales either way. Richard Kemmerer said, “People are a bit afraid of them, that's the only reason you may see em' hanging around the lot longer than normal, but they do sell."

For others like Lana Bidwell - she loves her baby. High gas prices or not, her Ford is here to stay. "I love it. I wanted one my whole life and I finally got one a couple years ago and I won't get rid of it,” she said.