SUV Owners Stick with Their Big Cars

[Singer]

SUV owners stick with their big (assed)cars

 

THE sports utility vehicle (SUV) is being shunned in the US.

 

The New York Times reported a 43.3 per cent drop in total SUV sales in July from a year ago. In Singapore, SUV sales are decreasing, albeit not as drastic as in the US.

 

Ford announced a US$8.7 billion ($12.4 billion) shortfall a month ago, blaming the soaring price of oil and the fall in demand in America for big cars.

 

SUV owners in the US cite the rising cost of petrol as the reason for trading in their cars for smaller, more fuel-efficient ones.

 

Does the same trend apply to SUV owners in Singapore? Do petrol prices force SUV owners to opt for less petrol-hungry cars?

The answer for both: No.

 

Car dealers and people in the industry The New Paper spoke to have not seen the American trade-in trend happening here in the last few months.

 

The SUVs here are among the 1,500 to 2,400cc range as compared to the 3,500cc ones in the US.

 

So SUVs on Singapore roads do not guzzle as much fuel as their American counterparts.

 

Mr Shafie Salim, a car dealer with Hua Yang Enterprise, said: 'Generally, SUV buyers here can afford to continue driving them despite high oil prices. It isn't a norm to downgrade.'

 

And even if they couldn't afford it, Singaporeans may choose to hang on to their SUVs instead of trading them for smaller ones.

 

Mr Henry Seah, marketing manager of sgCarMart, said that in certain scenarios, trading in may not be wise, especially for those with hefty car loans left on their SUVs.

 

Mr Seah said: '(If the owner) has to top up his existing loan... the end result might be that he is no better off than owning that SUV. He might be paying more.'

 

When asked if the cost of driving an SUV is a growing burden, some owners disagreed.

 

Mr Ahmad Zuhairi, 32, who owns a 1500cc Daihatsu Terios, said: 'There are more fuel-efficient SUVs in the market compared to five years ago.'

 

He feels that fuel consumption is a problem only for large, luxury brand SUVs.

 

He said he would not trade in his SUV for a smaller car, given the increasing size of his family.

 

Mr Daniel Tan, 38, recently traded in his 2,400cc Toyota Harrier for a 1,800cc Honda Crossroad. Both are SUVs, though the 1,800cc model boasts higher fuel efficiency.

 

He said: 'The most important reason was because fuel prices were going up.'

 

He now saves $200 a month on petrol.

 

Why he did not switch to a smaller car in order to save even more? He said: 'Once you get the hang of an SUV, you can't turn back.

 

You feel like the king of the road.' (ego booster?)

 

Petrol prices should not affect SUV owners too badly, if they are willing to put up with the initial cost of an SUV.

 

Perhaps those who are thinking of downgrading should consider the savings made from buying a cheaper car, instead of the savings made from decreased petrol consumption.

 

Drop in Sales

The sports utility vehicle (SUV) market in the US is facing a major shake-up.

 

Autodata Corp, an automotive information services company, projected a 43.3 per cent fall in SUV sales

 

Current sales of large SUVs dropped 28 per cent in the first quarter.

 

Ford Motor is cutting back on SUV production after a US$8.7 billion loss.

 

Rate of depreciation on large SUVs in US has been about twice to what is normal over the last half year or so.

 

 

http://www.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story...0911-87226.html

[Marquee]

Not apple to apple comparison.

 

SUV in US has much bigger engine capacity than our 2.4l SUV. They are usually 3000 cc and more.

 

The question to be asked is how many 3000cc and more SUV are sold in SG?

[Silver_blade]

Agree. Also, like what was reported...many are stuck with the car (cos of high loan) rather than keeping it by choice.

[Picanto]

the road tax structure is not favourable for big CC cars. BIG CC = BIG $$$. that's why the govt want to tax such owners more.

[Admiralty]

most but not all SUV onwer already know about fc for such ride. unless income drastically impact due to lost job...etc. my suv is more for safety reason co's 2 young kids and wiffy are very valuable to me. but, got to forget about higher speed and cornering. i can get use to it

[Colin03]

I agreed with you that the SUV seem to provide a better / safer car than the saloon - I switch is also due to family safety.

 

Rdgs

[Fireball0088]

King of the road?

 

Damn funny, what about those lorry drivers or the container truck drivers...those are the kinds of the road!!!!

[Admiralty]

kia-si man think alike . but, my little princess always ask : daddy, it is really necessary to buy a car this tall. very difficult to climb up the seat you know. .

 

i think i am so used driving at a van height, cant go back to saloon liao.

[Nkps]

if u want, u can downgrade to a van or upgrade to a lorry

[Admiralty]

sibei funny , but its a workable option.

 

sure kenna comprain big-big ..."daddy, it is really necessary to sit in your new van/lorry?"