U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Program
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 
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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