Owners face roadblock in downsizing their SUVs: car dealer
Last Updated: Monday, May 19, 2008 | 2:54 PM CT
CBC News
Rising gas prices are prompting many drivers to switch to smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles, but at least one Regina car dealer says many sport utility vehicle owners are having a hard time trading in their machines.
Some are finding their gas-guzzling trade-ins are not as popular on the used car lot as they used to be.
For example, no one has test-driven the two SUVs currently on Gary Miller's used car lot at Car World in Regina.
"The farming market needs the trucks and the commercial people need the trucks, but I think the normal residential person just driving to work and back is going to re-evaluate that and say, 'Maybe I need something a little more fuel efficient,'" Miller told CBC News.
Miller said SUV and truck owners have been coming into his dealership, trying to trade in their vehicles. However, he said they are not getting the prices they wanted.
In fact, some used car dealerships in the U.S. have refused to take such vehicles because they cannot sell them.
The high gas prices have even prompted Miller to change his business plan: "I'm trying to head for the future here and just sell fuel-efficient cars for folks, so that they can be happy with their purchase for the next four or five years," he said.
Major Regina car dealerships contacted by CBC News said rising fuel costs have not hurt their SUV or truck sales, but they added that small cars are becoming more popular than ever.
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