New Car Buying Tip: Cheap Gas = Trucks to outsell cars again this month

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Cheap Gas = Trucks to outsell cars again this month

Filed under: Car Buying, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Green, Earnings/Financials

It's the same old story, people say one thing, yet do another. The price of fuel has fallen to the point that it's no longer financially ruinous to fill the tank on a full-size pickup, so looks like truck sales will eclipse cars in December. Despite the public's rhetoric about smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles, the populous has seemingly gone back for another feed at the truck trough. Winter tends to remind people of the things that SUVs and trucks are good for, like plowing and effortless going in inclement conditions while also carrying a passel of rugrats and their associated detritus. Not only are truck sales expected to be up, Hybrids will be the flip side of the trend, underperforming compared to what everyone might have thought a mere four months ago. It might end well for the automakers, with higher profit trucks bouncing back, though the investment in green and hybrid technology will go wasted if the marketplace ignores it, a real danger with fuel prices easing... for the time being. Hat tip to reader "Throwback"

[Source: CNN, Photo: yammeringmagpie]

Cheap Gas = Trucks to outsell cars again this month originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AutoblogGreen for 12.24.08

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green

click to visit AutoblogGreen

From the Energetique evMe team in Australia, to the new Prius teasers to Christmas wishes from Tazzari, yesterday was a good chance to get into the holiday spirit over at AutoblogGreen. I mean, who doesn't think that an official 41 mpg rating for the Ford Fusion Hybrid isn't quite the present?

AutoblogGreen for 12.24.08 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota will debut Tundra Work Truck Package in San Diego

Filed under: Car Buying, Trucks/Pickups, Toyota

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Toyota Tundra Work Truck Package

One glaring omission in the range of Tundra trim levels is a stripper model suitable for duty as a basic work truck. Toyota will change all that at this year's San Diego Auto Show (Dec. 31, 2008 to Jan. 4, 2009) when the 2010 Toyota Tundra Work Truck Package debuts. Like any good work truck, a Tundra with the Work Truck Package is decontented enough to guarantee that your employees don't enjoy the drive too much. All the chrome on the Tundra's exterior has been replaced with black plastic, including the front and rear bumpers and grille, the latter of which has been slightly revised with a two-bar design. The side view mirrors are only manually adjustable, the bench seat is upholstered in washable vinyl, the floor is rubber and the dash is all black plastic. Cruise control and remote keyless entry are also gone as standard features. Available on Regular and Access Cab models in standard and long bed configurations with your choice of a V6 or V8 engine, the Work Truck Package will lower the price of your Tundra by as little as $550 and as much as $665. While not exactly the most exhilarating debut this auto show season, Toyota no doubt sees the benefit of broadening the Tundra's appeal to businesses that get their hands dirty.

Gallery: Toyota Tundra Work Truck Package