DETROIT, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A research firm says that U.S. drivers' lust for big gas-guzzling sports utility vehicles appears to be softening.
The report by the Power Information Network LLC finds that the number of days SUVs remain in dealer lots is up, prices have dipped and rebates are bigger.
"What we're seeing here is three measures all showing the same theme, and that theme is a weakening in that sector," Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at Power Information, told the Detroit Free Press.
Car manufacturers point to increasing sales for SUVs, up 7 percent this year compared to 2.4 percent for cars. Industry analysts suggest that the signs of weakness in the market may mean that SUVs were overproduced, not that the market is softer.
The industry is also moving towards smaller SUVs built on a car platform that get better gas mileage. The car-based vehicles are also less prone to rollovers than the top-heavy truck-based models.
