Survey Shows SUVs Could Regain Popularity in 2007
About 24 percent of respondents say they plan to buy a new or used car this year, with SUVs and crossovers the most popular body styles.
Despite a slowdown in SUV sales over the past several years as a result of higher gas prices, 21 percent of consumers who plan to buy a car in 2007 intend to purchase an SUV or crossover vehicle, according to a recent Cars.com survey. Roughly 24 percent of survey respondents said they will buy a new or used car this year, and no body style was more popular than SUVs and crossovers. Next were small sedans, at more than 19 percent; large sedans, 11 percent; compact cars, 8 percent; pickup trucks, 7 percent; and hybrid cars, 6 percent. Twenty-eight percent of consumers remain undecided as to what type of car they will buy. "Manufacturers are doing a good job of making SUVs and crossover vehicles more fuel-efficient, which will be more attractive to consumers," said Patrick Olsen, managing editor of Cars.com. "However, high gas prices will still be a deciding factor for many undecided shoppers, especially if prices climb again as they typically do in the summer months." Fuel-efficiency was the second most important factor for shoppers when it came to choosing a car, behind price. Fuel-efficiency was followed by safety, size and body style in order of importance to consumers. The survey was conducted online for Cars.com by Impulse Research Inc., with a random sample of 1,011 men and women representing a cross-section of the U.S. population.
More Small Fleet

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools
Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.
Read More →
Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections
AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.
Read More →
Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries
There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Read More →
It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report
What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.
Read More →
Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America
Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.
Read More →
VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone
A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.
Read More →
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski
VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!
Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.
Read More →
Hot Weather Driving Tips for Fleet Drivers
As we head into another potentially extreme summer season, the risks for fleet drivers remain high, from engine strain and tire blowouts to unpredictable traffic patterns. An expert shares advice on how fleet drivers can boost their safety during the steamy summer months.
Read More →
