I remember a news article from probably 15 years ago, that attributed the increasing rise in SUV sales to marketing. The SUV (a 4 wheel drive vehicle) was sold as an image of freedom to all those drivers stuck in rush hour traffic. At the time, something like 96% of SUV drivers never used 4wd, but they could sit in traffic dreaming of driving on an open road, dreaming of a trip to where civilization wasn't, having the vehicle to get them there, if only they could.

I also wonder if American reclassification of foreign "truck" imports as SUV's (the Isuzu Trooper, for example) helped spur domestic production of SUVs, also built on "truck" beds, as the large truck was, for example, Fords top seller.

Anyway, back to topic, I could believe that SUVs could be marketed for certain reasons as mentioned. The auto industry has for decades sold cars on reasons other than safety, new technology, well built, etc.
I am old enough to remember a time when it was a big deal to bring out new models yearly, and families would immediately trade in their "outdated" car yearly to buy the new model. There was no reason to do so, except to not "feel" left out (insecure?).

Hm. I own a '94 Prizm and an '89 Grand Wagoneer - the original SUV. I refer to it as a "Hummer Recovery Vehicle". It's nowhere near as big as an Escalade or something of that nature, but it has a gutsier tow-package and more torque than you can expect from modern SUVs. It's also a woody, and I just love that.

Unfortunately, it's also a 360 cubic inch big block at 5.9 liters, and it has a custom Edelbrock carburetor (remember carburetors?). It will pass everything but a gas station. I only use it to drive me to the poor house.

At least they're both paid for. Wanna buy a Jeep Grand Wagoneer? It's fun on the beach, and there few things in life as satisfying as using a dinged-up '89 Grand Wagoneer to tow a Hummer or some other froufrou SUV out of the sand.

Originally posted by Grock
I would love to hear what any SUV/non SUV owning people have to say about this. If they came out and said something about my old gremlin like this, I think id have something to say to them lol.

Pretty interesting to say the least.

I own a Ford F-150 Supercrew - 4 door full size pickup - specifically so I can do some things with it that my smaller Ranger is incapable of doing.

I've been a "Ford guy" all my life, but after a comment like this I may be looking elsewhere for my next purchase.

I live in LA where for the most part that article is correct. BUt that could just be the mentality of half the people out here. I also think that all of LA's BMW, Mercedes, Infinity, and Range Rover drivers also fit the same category. driving completely selfish, screw the laws, park in handycapped spaces and blocking other peoples driveways, not stopping at stop signs or lights, speeding by people in residential neighborhoods, swerving around people walking their dogs, talking on the cellphone while driving in two lanes at once, honking at anybody who gets in their way, even if their is nothing that that other driver can do about the situation.

hate to say it but generally speaking the article is right, besides I think that the car manufacturers know their demographic for SUVs. they were the ones who did objective research on the drivers of SUVs.

I believe they hit the nail right on the head.

Everyone I know with a jeep or SUV fits the description provided.

Great find!

Is this applicable to all kinds of SUVs? So I guess Im selfish. Haha. Im also an SUV driver. I dont know how they come up with this conclusion but Im not really that selfish and insecure.

Suvs are and have always been pointless for 99% of the people that drive them. Everything That a suv can do becan be accomplished in station wagon or minivan with better fuel economy and less danger to other drivers.

For most people Buying an suv shows that you aren't truly interested, understand or appreciate the function of driving. People that have zero interest in an activity usually are also pretty bad it when they attempt it. Now insinstead of having smaller cars to worry about controling they have 7000lbs of steel they don't understand.

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