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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Fact #357: January 31, 2005
Growth in Light Truck Registrations

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were responsible for much of the growth in light truck registrations between 1997 and 2002. According to the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey data, SUV registrations grew by 56% between 1997 and 2002, while minivan registrations increased by 24% and pickup registrations increased by 5%. These three vehicle types made up 87% of all truck registrations in the United States in 2002.

Light Truck Registrations
Graph showing light truck registrations for SUVs, minivans, and pickups in 1992, 1997, and 2002

Supporting Information

Light Truck Registrations (thousands)
Year SUVs Minivans Pickups
1992 7,140.2 6,129.6 33,659.6
1997 15,533.1 9,837.9 36,191.8
2002 24,204.4 12,207.3 37,991.1

Source: U. S. Bureau of the Census, 2002 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey, US Summary, December 2004, and earlier US Summaries.

 

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