Are We That Dumb? As Gas Prices Drop, So Do 4 Cylinder Sales

Are We That Dumb? As Gas Prices Drop, So Do 4 Cylinder Sales
According to the Power Information Network, it appears that the new-vehicle market's dramatic shift to smaller vehicles that began this spring may be settling down.

PIN officials suggested that consumer market trends are turning back to the way they were before May. For instance, sales of four-cylinder units have dwindled, while customer loyalty among large pickup owners has simultaneously increased.  

More specifically, the market share of vehicles with four-cylinder engines reached 51.2 percent in May, but it has fallen by more than 8 points since then. In August, four-cylinder models represented just 42.8 percent of retail sales.



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njsidekick3njsidekick3 - 9/15/2008 2:59:00 PM
+1 Boost
...all these "buyers" must work for lehman brothers...


350zdon17350zdon17 - 9/15/2008 3:41:18 PM
+12 Boost
No...the simple answer to that is Dealerships are giving away all the pick-up's and SUV's while they are trying to hit you over the head with the 4 cylinders charging full pop or small discount...consumers still want the best deal out there


finishlinefinishline - 9/15/2008 3:18:05 PM
+12 Boost
Yes, we're that dumb.

I mean, look around.



Cornholio852Cornholio852 - 9/15/2008 4:46:48 PM
+8 Boost
yeah we are, but then agian if you can get a truck at 2/3 of its price, the better ride and versitilty almost make up for the shit fuel economy...

almost


WorldofLuxuryWorldofLuxury - 9/15/2008 9:40:54 PM
+1 Boost
nah...I just love my SUV and think that it's more cost effective to keep it than sell it for a new, more efficient car.

Reason:
- My Lexus LX is an '03 model, so it won't sell for much
- (and it's a pain in the neck to negotiate)
- (and I love its Mark Levinson system, height, etc.)
I think this is what you guys call "character" and "soul"
- I have my LS for my daily school drop offs, which isn't a very fun, but the car is a lot lighter than the LX and thus, not slouchy off the line.
- (and the LS is a '98 model, so the traction control isn't as sophisticated as the newer models...resulting in a couple seconds of wheel spins off the line) x]


txrippertxripper - 9/15/2008 3:19:32 PM
+3 Boost
people should buy what they like, constrained by what they can afford and keeping in mind their needs. many people need a wagon, crossover, truck, big suv, etc...


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 9/15/2008 3:27:45 PM
+5 Boost
Yes.


TauronB2GTauronB2G - 9/16/2008 12:49:42 AM
+2 Boost
Amen brother!!!
You know what I noticed nobody admits voting for Dubya yet he is still in office.
T


bigmotovbigmotov - 9/15/2008 4:07:40 PM
+13 Boost
As much as we eat, as much as we waste, and as arrogant as we are.....yes, we are dumb.


AgentOrangeAgentOrange - 9/15/2008 4:10:29 PM
+6 Boost
A box of rocks has a higher IQ..


E36erE36er - 9/15/2008 4:39:29 PM
+3 Boost
Apparently we are! I agree with bimmerfan25, if we're dumb enough as a country to elect W in twice then we're definitely dumb enough to go back gas sucking pigs.

It's the 70's all over again.


Cornholio852Cornholio852 - 9/15/2008 4:48:16 PM
-3 Boost
W lost the popular vote both times dipshit, it was the electoral collage that voted him in both times

and were the 70's really that bad anyway?


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 9/15/2008 5:07:38 PM
+2 Boost
Cornholio852-

Bush won the popular vote against Kerry. Obvious you didn't live through the seventies; drab powerless cars, a dismal economy leading to hyper double digit and inflation, and disco.


Cornholio852Cornholio852 - 9/16/2008 7:23:19 AM
0 Boost
Just focused on the negitives are you?


goochgooch - 9/16/2008 2:58:54 PM
+1 Boost
Nothing wrong with disco...


djaokidjaoki - 9/15/2008 5:09:55 PM
+5 Boost
With regards to used cars:

Dealer's charging full pop for 4 cylinder cars is relative to their value on the market. Wholesale price of these cars skyrocketed, therefore the average cost of inventory for small cars rose. That means that the profit margin disappeared unless they are sold close to sticker.

With new:

The basic rules of supply-and-demand dictate the how much cars sell for. This will keep fluctuating as we enter the era of a truly "KNEE-JERK" market. I hate to say it, but buyer behavior has become completely retarded.


rockerrocker - 9/15/2008 5:31:11 PM
+1 Boost
There is now incentive to change except to make the world a better place. How many people are willing to do that without any financial gain? There is little or no gain from going solar or wind, lack of high dollar tax credits and the high cost of equipment make it as costly as power coming from your local electric company. And if it isn't dollars holding us back, it's the environmentalists. Nothing will change until someone puts their foot down or we completely run out of fossil fuels. My money is on running out of fossil fuels.Not happens until push comes to shove.


PorschinatorPorschinator - 9/15/2008 7:43:16 PM
+1 Boost
People cant see past their own noses....

BUT studies have shown that people prefer larger vehicles thus US domestic has been trying to fill that need and do not realize that gas prices will overlook that want.

Who truly prefers driving those small econo-cars?!? We are forced to drive them because of greedy oil companies.

The best thing to come from high gas $$$ is technology. Their have been articles that on this topic. I hope that even if gas prices goes down that car companies continue the effort to develope next gen gas savers. Not easy considering auto industry down and have to tighten research funds.


PorschinatorPorschinator - 9/15/2008 7:45:29 PM
+3 Boost
Forgot to mention that currently there are more incentives or get more for your money on those larger vehicles and engines.


BarrieBarrie - 9/15/2008 8:12:26 PM
+2 Boost
Some small economy cars are great to drive, but not the Japanese cars which are bland and boring then given sporty names, like Toyota Sprinter or Suzuki Swift, both are pathetic compared to other small cars like the new Mini or other smal European cars


wooodwoood - 9/15/2008 10:11:07 PM
+1 Boost
Add taxes to larger engines. Period.


dodgedartdodgedart - 9/15/2008 10:35:28 PM
+7 Boost
statistically, yes, they are dumb, if the recent price reductions really do correlate with decreased 4-cylinder sales. but here in america they are free to be that way. free-dumb isn't free. stupidity is the greatest renewble natural resource.


BoredBored - 9/16/2008 12:44:22 AM
+3 Boost
@ dodgedart,

"stupidity is the greatest renewable natural resource"

LMAO
I couldn't have agreed more!


dodgedartdodgedart - 9/25/2008 9:40:20 PM
+1 Boost
AROD550I - Any blind retrad who rear ends a slow 4cyl with their super powerful V6 moving at 90MPH might be better off owning a slower car, heck the world would be better off if they don't have a big engine. Maybe they should get their vision checked too.
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