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Plug-in electric hybrids and electric cars have taken up much of the digital airwaves over the past few weeks (or years, depending on your perspective), but it may surprise you to find out that “passé” full-size SUVs are increasing in popularity once again. 

So far this year, full-size SUV sales have increased 19%, beating overall industry growth of 17%. The full-size SUV category is composed of large body-on-frame SUVs, like the GMC Yukon, and large crossovers, such as the Lincoln MKT and Chevrolet Traverse. 

If the surge in SUV sales catches you off guard, the same can be said for automakers. GM has low supplies of its Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Tahoe, triggering overtime at the truck factory in Arlington, Texas, where they’re built. Some employees are now working 10 hours a day and even working on Saturdays to fill demand, according to USA Today. 

Toyota has increased production of its Toyota Sequoia, but the automaker wouldn’t specify by how much. Nissan can't keep up with the demand for the new 2011 QX56 Infiniti, representatives recently told Cars.com. 

According to USA Today, part of the reason for the surge in large SUV sales may have to do with the impending regulations that may make these vehicles a rare find, or at least much more expensive than today’s models in order to curtail demand and meet the federal government’s more stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. Today’s stable gas prices, now at $2.75 a gallon, are helping out as well. 

Large SUV sales are good for automakers because it’s basically like “printing cash,” says Jim Hall at 2953 Analytics. That’s because traditional body-on-frame SUVS share much of their hardware with full-size pickup trucks. 

Interestingly, the much-hyped compact car segment – which is right on the cusp of getting new entries from GM, Ford, Hyundai, Mazda and Scion – is underperforming in the overall market, with just 14% growth for the year. More refined and expensive compact vehicles were supposed to help automakers not only meet CAFE standards but sustain profits with the loss of more profitable SUV sales. 

Small-car market share of the overall industry now stands at 17.3%, which is still dramatically up from the same time in 2009, as other segments — such as large cars, small SUVs, minivans and luxury car sales — have lost market share. 

Despite the surge in SUV sales, the segment still makes up only a fraction of the market. So far this year, about 121,000 have been sold, compared with 974,000 small cars. We still sell more cars than trucks in this country, a shift that occurred in mid-2008 and has stayed that way ever since. 

Overall, light-truck sales – which include minivans, crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks – are up 14.6% for the year, at 2.6 million, according to Automotive News. 

Still, the surge in SUV sales may be a bittersweet affair for automakers. Intense political pressure to reduce our dependency on oil – especially after the BP oil spill – could force automakers to build more fuel-efficient cars, regardless of consumer demand. Starting in 2011, the first boost in CAFE will take place and will steadily increase throughout the years until it reaches 35.5 mpg for the new car fleet in 2016

Surprise: Sales of big SUVs surging faster than small cars (USA Today)

Reader Review of the Week: 2010 Chevrolet HHR

“Someone hit a minivan with a shrink ray,” is how our reader reviewer’s son described the 2010 Chevrolet HHR. Snrd0822 from Philadelphia seems to agree, calling out the HHR’s ample cargo room, passenger space and good gas mileage. It has its faults, though, such as poor visibility and ergonomics. Read the full review from Snrd0822 to find out how the HHR has fared with one year of ownership. Then write your own review here. 

   

“Someone hit a minivan with a shrink ray. That's what my son said about it when I brought it home, and I think he just about hit it. It has a lot of positive features of a minivan (cargo and passenger room, comfort) in a smaller size, which is easier to maneuver and park. This car has features I thought I'd never find together: fun looking, fun to drive, manual transmission, seats five with nobody's knees in their chest, cargo space (enough for most everyday needs), good gas mileage and very affordable (got a great deal when all the dealers were desperate). I've owned this car for a year and so far, no problems. My one complaint is the ergonomics could be better. The visibility is a bit of an issue. (Although I've never seen windows defrost so fast, which I think has to do with the angle and small size of the windshield.) The cupholders suck, not a problem for me because I have a short commute, but this could be an issue and surprises me coming from GM. Overall, though, I love this car!”

2010|Chevrolet|HHR

Today's News From the Cars.com Family

07/29/2010 04:42 PM

At Ask.cars.com, learn about which vehicle is better in snowy conditions: the 2010 Subaru Outback or 2010 Honda CR-V. Check out MotherProof.com and read the latest vehicle review, this time for the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi. Finally, at PickupTrucks.com, learn about off-road racing legend Ivan Stewart’s newest business endeavor. 

• Would You Recommend a Honda CR-V with Four-Wheel Drive or a Subaru Outback? (Ask.cars.com) 
• MotherProof.com Reviews the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi (MotherProof.com)
• Ivan Stewart Shifting Gears from Off-Road Racing to Electric Bikes (PickupTrucks.com)

2011 Toyota Tacoma Gets New Limited-Edition Packages

07/29/2010 03:40 PM

Today we learned from our friends at PickupTrucks.com that America’s best-selling compact pickup, the Toyota Tacoma, will get two new limited-edition trim packages for the 2011 model year. The T|X and T|X Pro packages, which are built off the current Off-Road Package, offer more than just aesthetic alterations; there are some significant off-roading upgrades too.

Check out PickupTrucks.com to learn more about these new trims.

2011|Toyota|Tacoma

U.S. Gasoline Demand at Lowest Level in Six Years

07/29/2010 02:41 PM

A sluggish economy and an overall increase in the fuel efficiency of the U.S. vehicle fleet have reduced demand for gasoline to levels not seen since June 2004, according to the American Petroleum Institute. 

In June, the U.S. needed 9.18 million barrels of gasoline per day, 0.5% lower than a year ago, the group said. Despite the lower demand, gas prices continue to inch upward in 2010. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average price for a gallon of gasoline stood at $2.75, or 25 cents more than a year ago. However, that’s still far below the record highs in the $4 range in 2008. 

Energy demand is also a good barometer of economic health. In June, crude oil production increased 3.9% in the contiguous United States. The increase is mainly due to an increase in distillates, or fuel/heating oil.

U.S. oil production has been in a state of freefall since the 1980s. It has dipped from an average of nearly 9 million barrels a day in 1985 to about 5.5 million barrels today, according to the EIA. The U.S. still meets about 28% if its daily needs from domestic production, with about 3.1% of the total supply coming from Alaska.

2010 L.A. Auto Show Promises 20 World Debuts

07/29/2010 01:40 PM

With the summer sun shining and convertibles high on our driving priority list, it’s somewhat hard to think about November and the trees turning colors. But that’s not stopping the organizers of the Los Angeles Auto Show from sending out a notice today about the new cars that will debut during the Nov. 17 and 18 press days at this year’s show.

We — and subsequently you, our readers — will see the U.S. production version of the redesigned Nissan Quest and the Fiat 500-Cinquecento. That name was given to us by the auto show’s publicity department; we’re not sure if that’s the official name from the Fiat-Chrysler group.

The release states Nissan will have more than one world debut in L.A. as well as the Quest’s official coming-out party.

It will also be one of the first auto shows to display the ready-to-drive-home-and-plug-in Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf. The California show seems like a good place for that added exposure.

The Los Angeles Auto Show opens to the public on Nov. 19 and runs through Nov. 28.

2011 BMW 5 Series Named IIHS Top Safety Pick

07/29/2010 12:23 PM

The redesigned 2011 BMW 5 Series has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick status. 

To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in a front, side, rear and rollover crash tests. A vehicle also must have electronic stability control; this feature is standard on the 5 Series. 

This is the first 5 Series to earn a Top Safety Pick award; the prior-generation model earned only a Marginal rating in the side-impact crash test. IIHS' side-impact test simulates a strike from an SUV or pickup truck. 

Earning the award became tougher this year when IIHS added the rollover crash test, which measures roof strength and is twice as stringent as the federal requirement. To pass this roof-strength test, a vehicle must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. Current federal standards only require a roof to hold 1.5 times its strength. As a result, many of the vehicles that had previously qualified as Top Safety Picks fell off the list in 2010. 

For more information about other IIHS Top Safety Picks, click here.

2010|BMW|535

Recall Alert: 2003-2007 Lexus LX 470

07/29/2010 11:25 AM

Toyota is recalling approximately 39,000 of its Lexus LX 470 SUVs from the 2003-2007 model years over a defect in the steering shaft. The recall is the second announced by Toyota today and follows a series of significant recalls dating back to last fall.

This particular recall involves the snap ring on the steering shaft, which can disengage when the vehicle has a significant impact to the wheels such as a large pothole. The entire steering shaft could disengage over time after the impact, so drivers would not necessarily notice the problem immediately.

Toyota will begin the recall campaign in mid-August with mailings to owners. The company says no accidents have been reported because of the defect. For more information, owners can contact Lexus at 800-255-3987 or Lexus.com/recall.

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