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Title: An Analysis of the Impact of Sport Utility Vehicles in the United States

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/763236· OSTI ID:763236

It may be labeled sport utility vehicle, SUV, sport-ute, suburban assault vehicle, or a friend of OPEC (Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries). It has been the subject of comics, the object of high-finance marketing ploys, and the theme of Dateline. Whatever the label or the occasion, this vehicle is in great demand. The popularity of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) has increased dramatically since the late 1970s, and SUVs are currently the fastest growing segment of the motor vehicle industry. Hoping to gain market share due to the popularity of the expanding SUV market, more and more manufacturers are adding SUVs to their vehicle lineup. One purpose of this study is to analyze the world of the SUV to determine why this vehicle has seen such a rapid increase in popularity. Another purpose is to examine the impact of SUVs on energy consumption, emissions, and highway safety.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Transportation Technologies (EE-30) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
763236
Report Number(s):
ORNL/TM-2000/147; TRN: AH200032%%25
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1 Aug 2000
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English