Auto Trivia

*2003 Vehicle registrations through November

Best Sellers

• Light-duty trucks (including SUVs): 54 percent representing a 3.3 percent increase since 2003 sales
• Passenger cars: 46 percent, a 2.2 percent decline since 2003 sales
• SUV sales are expected to grow to 50 percent of all truck sales by 2006, while car-based SUVs will account for more than 45 percent of all SUV sales.
• Luxury vehicle sales are projected to increase 18 percent between 2002 and 2008. By 2007, luxury SUVs will account for 36 percent of luxury vehicles.

Role of the Internet in Auto Shopping

• 64 percent of new-vehicle buyers use the Internet for research prior to purchasing a new vehicle.
• 50 percent of all new-vehicle buyers say their make/model purchase decision was impacted by information found online.
• Navigation Systems
• In 2004, 166 new-vehicle models offered factory-installed navigation systems-up from 85 models in 2003 and 61 in 2002. In 1998, just eight models offered the system.
• Approximately 850,000 2004 model-year vehicles sold in the U.S. were equipped with a factory-installed navigation system.

Tops in 2004:

The highest scoring models of ConsumerReports CRSA rating include the following:

2005 Automobile Magazine Top All-Stars:

Least "American" American Cars