Trend Towards Smaller Cars Continues
Fuel efficient small cars account for 25.98 percent of all sales compared with 23.37 percent market share last year, edging out SUVs.
An analysis of new car and truck sales at the halfway point in the model year confirms a trend towards smaller cars fueled in part by high gasoline prices, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Fuel-efficient small cars now account for 25.98 percent of all sales compared with a 23.37 percent market share a year ago. Hyundai's new Accent posted a 43 percent gain over June 2005 sales and there are waiting lists in some parts of the country for both Honda's Fit and Civic. Civic Hybrid sales posted a 40 percent increase over last year. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that full-size SUVs are down 19.3 percent for the first six months of this year compared with 2005, and mid-size SUVs are down 8.3 percent for the same period. Only entry-level SUV sales and luxury premium SUVs are up in the six-month period by 6.1 and 16.7 percent, respectively, compared with 2005. Toyota Land Cruiser, Sequoia and Highlander sales all saw significant decreases for the first six months of the year. Acura's MDX, Chevy's Equinox, Jeep Liberty and Ford Expedition sales have all seen considerable drops in sales, in most cases, by at least 30 percent. Although some models are still selling well, June was generally a slow month for domestic automakers. At GM, Pontiac's G6, the Chevy Impala, the HHR, Buick Lucerne and Pontiac Torrent are all seeing successful sales so far in 2006. At Ford Motor Co., the Ford Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr and Mercury Milan have seen sales increases. Still, sales slipped 6.8 percent overall at Ford compared to June 2005.
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 →
