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September 5, 2008 12:55:01 PM CDT

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What's Hot? Some Guzzlers Among the Sippers

Posted Jun 25, 08 10:03 AM CDT in Business 

(Newser) – Soaring gas prices have predictably driven sales of gas-sipping vehicles such as Honda’s Fit and Toyota’s Scion xB, which have seen increases of 64% and 59% respectively, reports the Wall Street Journal. But guzzlers such as Toyota's Sequoia and Tundra are also selling surprisingly well (29% and 8.5%, respectively).

Experts say sales hikes among big vehicles are likely to be short-lived and were driven primarily by redesigns, but the market appears to be being buoyed by families, as well as high-end buyers. "If you're buying an $80K+ car, you better be able to afford the gas that goes in it," says one owner of a Lexus LX, which averages 14mpg and has doubled sales this year.

Source Wall Street Journal

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Toyota's full-size SUV Sequoia continues to sell well, despite gas prices.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
The Honda Fit has been a hot seller as gas prices have risen.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, file)
Toyota's Scion xB continues to sell well in an era of high gas prices.   (AP Photo/Toyota)
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gas prices  • auto industry  • auto sales  • fuel economy  • Japanese auto industry


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