Light trucks
MILLIONS OF CONSUMERS now turn to light trucks -- pickups, vans, mini-vans and sport-utility vehicles -- to meet their transportation needs. Light truck sales in the U.S. have grown steadily since the mid-1980's, and now account for over 45% of all new-light-duty vehicles sold.
And while trucks are popular with consumers, some detractors want to squeeze them out of the market. CVC is working to keep a wide variety of cars and light trucks available, so consumers can make their own choices.
Find out more about light trucks:
Vehicles: Here's basic information on light trucks and how they differ from cars, with more details on the three classes of light trucks, the advantages of each, and models currently available.
Users: Who's buying all those light trucks? We've got profiles of some major user groups, from families to farmers, who depend on the size and capabilities of light trucks for their transportation needs.
Reasons: Why are so many consumers choosing light trucks? In most cases, it's the special features and added utility that the vehicles offer, including greater size, safety and power for hauling and towing.
Why do you like your light truck?
Come tell us your reasons, and let the world know!Critics and defenders: There's a campaign by anti-vehicle crusaders to regulate, restrict or eliminate SUV's and other light trucks. Follow the debate, and read the comments those who recognize the safety, utility and efficiency of light trucks.
Safety: The larger size and weight of most light trucks provide important safety advantages for occupants, and there's little evidence of increased risk for other road users.
Fuel economy: The extra size and weight trucks means somewhat lower gasoline mileage ratings for light trucks, although the vehicles are quite "efficient" for the work they do. Consumers understand the trade-offs, and don't mind paying a little extra at the pump for the added utility and safety that light trucks provide.
Emissions: Light trucks are clean vehicles, meeting strict EPA tailpipe standards that have been tightened in recent years. Small light trucks meet the same standards as cars, while larger trucks have slightly higher standards, to recognize the added work that truck engines must be able to do. EPA recently proposed further tightening of those standards, which will add to vehicle costs, but with some flexibility to allow continued availability of useful truck models.
California recently tightened its stringent standards even farther, eliminating the distinction between cars and trucks on a short time frame and banning diesels. That's likely to mean new restrictions on truck engines and functions, higher prices, and new limits on the choices available to California consumers.
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updated: 5/3/99 |