Detroit Gets The Fuel Efficiency Message

Detroit has seen their sales drop while foreign manufacturers of more fuel efficient vehicles continue to see sales surge.

2 minute read

August 30, 2006, 7:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Thomas W. LaSorda, Chrysler’s chief executive, has stated that he expects gas prices to remain high through the decade. This is significant because Detroit has based their profits on SUV sales that may correspond to cheaper fuel.

"About 75 percent of the vehicles that Chrysler sells are pickups, sport utility vehicles and minivans, compared with about two-thirds of the sales by the Ford Motor Company and about 60 percent of the vehicles sold by General Motors, according to the industry statistics firm Autodata.

By contrast, the lineups at Toyota, Honda and Nissan are still more than 50 percent cars, one reason Japanese auto companies have achieved sales records this year."

Indeed, light truck sales industry-wide are on the decline, while car sales increase to reflect the higher fuel prices.

"Last month, Chrysler’s share of the American market dropped to just 10 percent, compared with 13.3 percent in July 2005. Chrysler fell to fifth place in July, behind G.M., Toyota, Ford and Honda.

Chrysler is not the only company feeling the pinch of higher gasoline prices. Industrywide, pickup truck sales have dropped about 17 percent this year, while sales of sport utility vehicles are down about 9 percent. Car sales, by contrast, are up 3 percent, according to an Edmunds estimate."

LaSorda's comments, as well as Ford’s chief sales analyst, George Pipas, "signal a recognition that the two automakers may have to fundamentally change their product mix to put more emphasis on fuel-efficient vehicles â€" a move General Motors says it already is making."

Thanks to Mark Boshnack

Monday, August 28, 2006 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

Close-up on black and white "Bike Lane Ends" sign with bike logo.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane

The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.

July 8 - Houston Public Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA