Author Topic: Most Popular Vehicle by State  (Read 9388 times)

immocardo

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Middlesbrough

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2015, 08:12:01 AM »
Apparently most of the country loves the Ford F-150. (sigh)

Sibley

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2015, 09:12:36 AM »
I don't like pickups in general because I can't get in or out of them easily. Too short.

Retired To Win

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2015, 11:22:46 AM »
I don't like pickups in general because I can't get in or out of them easily. Too short.

I think that's because your experience must be limited to newer, higher-off-the-ground, monster-like pickup trucks.  I am 5'6".  I drive a 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup.  No trouble getting in and out.

Why would you want to buy one of those new waste-of-money piles of metal any way?

jmusic

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2015, 11:30:59 AM »
I don't like pickups in general because I can't get in or out of them easily. Too short.

I have the opposite problem.  I just deal with climbing out of my small car...

Sibley

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2015, 11:43:23 AM »
I don't like pickups in general because I can't get in or out of them easily. Too short.

I think that's because your experience must be limited to newer, higher-off-the-ground, monster-like pickup trucks.  I am 5'6".  I drive a 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup.  No trouble getting in and out.

Why would you want to buy one of those new waste-of-money piles of metal any way?

I'm sure you're right. My ex had a huge truck, and then it was on big tires and lifted. It was horrible trying to get in or out!

I have a nice Ford Focus hatchback and am very happy with it. Big enough for me, small enough to fit.

forummm

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2015, 05:29:50 PM »
Apparently most of the country loves the Ford F-150. (sigh)

Pickup trucks are something like 3 of the top 5 best selling brands in the US.

caliq

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2015, 06:46:24 PM »
I don't like pickups in general because I can't get in or out of them easily. Too short.

I think that's because your experience must be limited to newer, higher-off-the-ground, monster-like pickup trucks.  I am 5'6".  I drive a 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup.  No trouble getting in and out.

Why would you want to buy one of those new waste-of-money piles of metal any way?

I'm sure you're right. My ex had a huge truck, and then it was on big tires and lifted. It was horrible trying to get in or out!

I have a nice Ford Focus hatchback and am very happy with it. Big enough for me, small enough to fit.


You just...grab on to something and pull yourself up?  Either the steering wheel or the oh shit handle on the passenger door, usually.  I'm 5'2" and learned to drive in my dad's Ram 2500 work truck.  I think it had a small lift (2-3") so it could haul his flatbed better for big deliveries.


Back on topic...
I don't know why I find it so funny that Jeeps are the most popular vehicle in CT; there are TONS of older model Grand Cherokees on the road here, but I'm not sure if this article is only for new-car sales or for all sales.  The oldie GC's go forever; they never depreciate past 2-3k as long as they run decently and I see late 80s/mid 90s models for sale on a regular basis.  I don't really see that many newer models, though...

Hedge_87

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2015, 05:52:04 AM »
I don't like pickups in general because I can't get in or out of them easily. Too short.

I have the opposite problem.  I just deal with climbing out of my small car...
Me too at 6`6" unfolding out of a car while not slamming the door into the car next to me gets to be pretty funny sometimes. DW  has learned sometimes it's better to let me out before parking in a tightly confined spot.

Bardo

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2015, 07:11:58 AM »
I don't like pickups in general because I can't get in or out of them easily. Too short.

I think that's because your experience must be limited to newer, higher-off-the-ground, monster-like pickup trucks.  I am 5'6".  I drive a 1996 Dodge Dakota pickup.  No trouble getting in and out.

Why would you want to buy one of those new waste-of-money piles of metal any way?

Yes, but all vehicles are built larger now than their equivalents 20 years ago.  It's the iron law of auto design - every car generation must be larger than its predecessor.  The law is especially noticeable in pickup trucks, which are now huge to the point of vulgarity.


wtjbatman

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2015, 09:19:08 AM »
Love that most of the country drives American made pickup trucks, and California is out there chillin in a BMW. Dude. Check it out. Like my beamer?

marketnonsenses

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2015, 10:02:23 AM »
I understand why. If I went so frugal I would drive a pickup truck. They are comfortable for road trips and have a bed for kayaks, bikes, camping stuff. They sit high and you can see over traffic much better than in a car.

I used to have one back when I didnt have control over spending. I loved it. Now there is no way. The difference in gas alone is thousands of dollars a year.

mathlete

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2015, 10:12:46 AM »
I have a really hard time believing that BMW 3 Series is the most popular car in California.

A quick Google search says it is the Accord with the Prius taking that cake the two previous years.
« Last Edit: April 01, 2015, 10:14:48 AM by mathlete »

Bracken_Joy

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2015, 10:16:40 AM »
I have a really hard time believing that BMW 3 Series is the most popular car in California.

A quick Google search says it is the Accord with the Prius taking that cake the two previous years.

I wonder if its based on % of money spent on cars, rather than # of cars of which model purchased? That's a stupid way to do it, but I can see how it would work out that way with a higher cost per unit.

mathlete

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2015, 10:18:35 AM »
I wonder if its based on % of money spent on cars, rather than # of cars of which model purchased? That's a stupid way to do it, but I can see how it would work out that way with a higher cost per unit.

Maybe. There is a short little blurb at the end about where their data comes from, but not much.

Here is an article from the LA Times about California's best selling cars for interested parties: http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-accord-prius-20150214-story.html

Le Poisson

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #15 on: April 01, 2015, 11:20:30 AM »
Its too bad those infographics didn't include sources. Sales numbers could reflect a different traffic mix than registrations.

Anyway, as an addendum, here are 2013 collision stats for the states. Being Canadian, I don't have much vested here, but some of the correlations were interesting when I did  some consulting work for the FHWA about 7 years ago. Its nice to see things changing, albeit slowly. Good Job DC, keep driving safe!

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/state-by-state-overview/2013

Scrolling down the page, you will find deaths by vehicle type. Overall in the USA in 2013, there were:

39% - Auto
25% - Pickup/SUV
2% - large truck
13% - motorcycle
14% - Pedestrian
2% - cyclist

Which in my mind raises the question of survivability of a crash in a truck vs a car. Many people argue that they need a vehicle bigger than anything else on the road so that they are safer in a crash. I disagree, but the stats do show that despite a fleet that is truck-hungry (by OP's infographic) there is a smaller representation of deaths by truck/SUV than by car. I would also point out that the there were only 2% of all deaths represented by cyclists, but this is likely due to too few cyclists on the road, and not to bike safety.

One last edit - some interesting info from FHWA - http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/pubs/hf/pl11028/chapter3.cfm - especially the vehicle ownership per person map. According to the stats here, there were 1.2 cars per truck on the road in 2012, but trucks are on the rise at a rate of 4% per year - so it is possible that trucks now outnumber cars.
« Last Edit: April 01, 2015, 11:55:23 AM by Prospector »

celticmyst08

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #16 on: April 01, 2015, 12:01:47 PM »
Which in my mind raises the question of survivability of a crash in a truck vs a car. Many people argue that they need a vehicle bigger than anything else on the road so that they are safer in a crash.
I've always wondered if these people are more likely to make stupid/reckless decisions while driving (due to a false sense of security) and are therefore just as likely and/or more likely to get seriously injured in a crash...

Forcus

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #17 on: April 01, 2015, 12:34:36 PM »
I don't like pickups in general because I can't get in or out of them easily. Too short.

Hah, the wife pretends she is 5'2" (she's not!) and always has to get a running start to get in one of my vehicles. I know I should just get those step things for her but its pretty funny to watch.

Le Poisson

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #18 on: April 01, 2015, 01:05:37 PM »
Which in my mind raises the question of survivability of a crash in a truck vs a car. Many people argue that they need a vehicle bigger than anything else on the road so that they are safer in a crash.
I've always wondered if these people are more likely to make stupid/reckless decisions while driving (due to a false sense of security) and are therefore just as likely and/or more likely to get seriously injured in a crash...

I can't back it up with stats, but the truck fatalities I see in my jurisdiction usually include speeds that boggle the mind, alcohol, and/or youth. One recent fatality was a driver falling asleep at the wheel. He took out the driver of another truck when he went.

Too often the mistake of the larger vehicle is the cause of death of a driver of a lesser vehicle. (ie. dump truck crosses centreline, car opens door in path of bike, etc.) so although truck fatalities may be less, fatalities caused by truck may not be measured. I am not aware of any study looking into this. There is also the driver eye height theory that says a driver of a large vehicle can see over other cars, and will see further down the road at an intersection.

What has been studied, and is known absolutely is that human nature will eat up any safety cushion engineered into its environment. Much like feeling flush on payday and going hungry on Monday, a driver will use up all the safety in the road, and then when a small change causes alarm be in trouble. Since a truck affords a sense of increased safety, it is human nature for the driver of a truck to be more aggressive, and put themselves at the same degree of risk as the driver of any other vehicle. In my opinion the most important safety device in a car is in between the ears of its driver.

southern granny

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #19 on: April 01, 2015, 01:15:06 PM »
There is an F-150 in our driveway.  It is a 2001 and has been extremely dependable.  It definitely comes in handy at times.  My husband doesn't ask for much, but he will always have a pick up and that is okay with me.   I don't think this vehicle hinders our quest for financial independence.  We might be losing a few mpg but that is okay, we don't drive it a whole lot.  Just saving one appliance delivery fee makes up a lot of that difference. 

acanthurus

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #20 on: April 01, 2015, 01:49:42 PM »
Love that most of the country drives American made pickup trucks, and California is out there chillin in a BMW. Dude. Check it out. Like my beamer?

http://www.bmwccbc.org/misc/tech-and-trivia/bimmer.html

celticmyst08

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #21 on: April 01, 2015, 02:59:07 PM »
What has been studied, and is known absolutely is that human nature will eat up any safety cushion engineered into its environment. Much like feeling flush on payday and going hungry on Monday, a driver will use up all the safety in the road, and then when a small change causes alarm be in trouble. Since a truck affords a sense of increased safety, it is human nature for the driver of a truck to be more aggressive, and put themselves at the same degree of risk as the driver of any other vehicle. In my opinion the most important safety device in a car is in between the ears of its driver.
Very good point. I remember in high school a friend of mine was driving her parent's SUV (Suburban or some such nonsense) on the freeway during a Michigan blizzard... with the cruise control on... at 60 mph. Needless to say, she flipped the car. Amazingly, she was unhurt, but I remember her talking about it at school the next day and seeming so surprised that she had gotten in an accident in an SUV because "they are supposed to be so safe!" /facepalm

projekt

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #22 on: April 01, 2015, 04:08:45 PM »
I think that the numbers are skewed because there are only a few options in the half-ton pickup truck category but tons of options in the compact car category. There is also lots of brand loyalty. My feeling is that the sum total of the compact cars outnumbers the trucks. For example, last year about 2.1M half ton trucks were sold, 753,000 of which were F-150s and 530,000 were Silverados. Toyota sold fewer Tundras than Priuses. During the same year, at least 2.2M compact cars, 1.7M mid-size cars and 1M small/crossover SUVs were sold. If the only options on the market for compact cars were the Corolla, the Sentra and Focus, the most popular car would be the Corolla. But there are lots of options.

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #23 on: April 01, 2015, 09:06:27 PM »
Apparently most of the country loves the Ford F-150. (sigh)

Pickup trucks are something like 3 of the top 5 best selling brands in the US.

A pickup is a very versatile vehicle with which you can do a lot of things (as long as you don't have a huge family to transport).  The shame is that nowadays pickups are designed to function as trumped up extensions of male ego and machismo instead practical work vehicles.  So it should therefore be no surprise that the vehicles keep getting bigger and their engines keep getting bigger.  Hell, even their tires keep getting bigger.

Hedge_87

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #24 on: April 02, 2015, 06:23:46 AM »
Apparently most of the country loves the Ford F-150. (sigh)

Pickup trucks are something like 3 of the top 5 best selling brands in the US.

A pickup is a very versatile vehicle with which you can do a lot of things (as long as you don't have a huge family to transport).  The shame is that nowadays pickups are designed to function as trumped up extensions of male ego and machismo instead practical work vehicles.  So it should therefore be no surprise that the vehicles keep getting bigger and their engines keep getting bigger.  Hell, even their tires keep getting bigger.

Agreed and the tailgate level keeps getting higher. some times when you are trying to heave something extremely heavy in the back an extra couple inches lower would make a huge difference.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #25 on: April 02, 2015, 06:32:56 AM »
The only recent improvement I've enjoyed in trucks are a- they rattle less (totally a comfort thing though, not function) and b- the ultra-light tailgate. I haven't noticed any difference in durability so far on my tailgate, but god is it easier on my arms. Only downside is if someone else uses my truck they invariably SLAM it, not realizing how light it is. It's really nice though because my dad is getting older, but still likes to help out where he can. He recently did a partial bicep tear on his dominant arm, too, which has made it extra nice to have a light tailgate!

marketnonsenses

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #26 on: April 02, 2015, 07:13:48 AM »
Apparently most of the country loves the Ford F-150. (sigh)

Pickup trucks are something like 3 of the top 5 best selling brands in the US.

A pickup is a very versatile vehicle with which you can do a lot of things (as long as you don't have a huge family to transport).  The shame is that nowadays pickups are designed to function as trumped up extensions of male ego and machismo instead practical work vehicles.  So it should therefore be no surprise that the vehicles keep getting bigger and their engines keep getting bigger.  Hell, even their tires keep getting bigger.

Speaking of the engine. I moved a while back and rented a huge uhaul truck (18 or 24'' maybe, not really Uhaul some off brand) Anyways, out of curiosity I looked under the hood and it was a gas ford 5.4 engine. I then laughed very hard thinkng that his truck is meant to carry tons of furniture and possible tow someones car so they can move. It has the same engine as people use to commute back and forth from an office job alone, not hauling anything.

Hedge_87

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #27 on: April 02, 2015, 11:31:35 AM »
The only recent improvement I've enjoyed in trucks are a- they rattle less (totally a comfort thing though, not function) and b- the ultra-light tailgate. I haven't noticed any difference in durability so far on my tailgate, but god is it easier on my arms. Only downside is if someone else uses my truck they invariably SLAM it, not realizing how light it is. It's really nice though because my dad is getting older, but still likes to help out where he can. He recently did a partial bicep tear on his dominant arm, too, which has made it extra nice to have a light tailgate!

I believe I've even seen where they are putting some sort of torsion spring on the tailgate to help even more with raising and lowering. And yes newer trucks are a lot quite which is nice. Also my new one even has a/c boy am I fancy.

golden1

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #28 on: April 02, 2015, 11:54:46 AM »
Yeah....Honda being #1 in MA is so not surprising.  There are about 30 honda dealers in the Boston area I think.  It's nuts. 

Retired To Win

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #29 on: April 02, 2015, 03:26:07 PM »
... I moved a while back and rented a huge uhaul truck (18 or 24'' maybe, not really Uhaul some off brand) Anyways, out of curiosity I looked under the hood and it was a gas ford 5.4 engine. I then laughed very hard thinkng that his truck is meant to carry tons of furniture and possible tow someones car so they can move. It has the same engine as people use to commute back and forth from an office job alone, not hauling anything.

Yeah, well... boys got to have macho, you know.

Travis

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #30 on: April 03, 2015, 08:37:16 PM »
Just finished an overnight drive from WA to CA.  I was pleasantly surprised to see probably 1 in 10 cars from Olympia to Salem were Priuses.

And once I got to Sacramento, half the cars are SUVs.
« Last Edit: April 04, 2015, 09:49:11 AM by Travis »

WynnDuffy73

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Re: Most Popular Vehicle by State
« Reply #31 on: April 04, 2015, 07:17:20 AM »
I have a really hard time believing that BMW 3 Series is the most popular car in California.

A quick Google search says it is the Accord with the Prius taking that cake the two previous years.

I was thinking the same thing.  That car seems way too expensive to be #1.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!