Gas Prices Reduce Sales of Full-Size SUVs

How can we be so sure? Just think back to the late 1970s, the lineups at the pump and higher gas prices than ever before.

And while prices might seem volatile, they're actually one-third lower than gasoline prices in 1982 with inflation factored in. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

Cars such as Chevy's Chevette, Ford's Pinto and Chrysler's Omni joined imports from Volkswagen, Toyota, Honda and Datsun (now Nissan) to set the stage for the first of many opportunities for imports to shine. Truly, if it wasn't for the 1970s to early 1980s oil shortage, that boosted oil cartel awareness to the point where the initials OPEC became part of every household dinner conversation, the Asian imports probably would have never succeeded to the same level as they did.

Fortunately we're not facing a shortage, well at least not yet. And while prices might seem volatile, they're actually one-third lower than gasoline prices in 1982 with inflation factored in, right at the peak of the crippling OPEC crisis. Now gasoline prices in

Large SUVs have become the bread and butter products for padding domestic, and now import automaker's respective bottom lines, and if the current gas trend continues they could be in a major bind. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press)

California are being sighted at USD$2.40 per U.S. gallon, stretching family budgets beyond reason.

But while large SUV builders are feeling the pinch to their respective bottom lines, especially considering that large sport utilities are the most profitable vehicles made, purveyors of fuel efficient vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid, are seeing an upward trend.

Hopefully the environmentalists who are laughing and pointing fingers at luxury SUV owners now paying through the nose for gasoline, personally drive Honda Insights, Civic Hybrids, or Toyota's Prius to work every day, putting their money were their mouths are, and not some dilapidated VW bus or rusted out Volvo wagon with a rusted out tailpipe.