The Trouble With Selling SUVs

June 10, 2008

Sport Utility Vehicles used to be all the rage; everyone from Hollywood to suburbia wanted one of these giants of the roads. As gas prices rise with no ceiling in sight and the housing market continues to weaken SUV owners are looking to get out.

The problem comes when those SUV owners find that there is simply no market for their used vehicles. Gas prices are creeping to $4.00 a gallon with a few areas having already reached that milestone so why would there be a market for SUVs anymore? The focus now is on gas saving smaller cars like Honda Civics, motorcycles, and even scooters.

SUV owners have been among the hardest hit with the rising gas prices and for those that were determined to ride it out in hopes that oil would drop in price are devastated to learn that those prices are only increasing. They are now trying to sell their SUVs or at least trade them in for something more economical.

Private car lots are now refusing or at least reluctant to take in SUVs knowing that they will not be able to turn around and sell the vehicles. Most owners have to accept incredible losses whenever they do manage to find a buyer.

The newest trend for those former SUV owners is to switch to hybrid and with that in mind many manufacturers attempted to make a hybrid SUV seem just as desirable. The problem seems to be one of image as well as price however since those hybrids are just not selling as well as suspected.

So what can SUV owners do to help sale their vehicles? Not much but a few minor changes might help. Before you place your SUV on the market make sure that the exterior is attractive. Fix any problems that the vehicle might have and do not forget to talk up the advantages of the SUV.

In the mean while it just might be time to shop for economical modes of transportation and leave that SUV in the dust.