CUV Interest Grows as SUV Interest Declines

NADAguides.com says Interest in CUVs Outpaces SUVs in April, Interest in
Hybrid CUVs Grows

COSTA MESA, Calif., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The gap in consumer interest
between crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) and sport utility vehicles (SUVs)
continues to widen, according to a report released today by NADAguides.com.
The company, a vehicle pricing and information website, says consumer interest
in crossovers increased 14.8 percent in April 2008 compared to April 2007,
while SUV interest was down at almost the same rate of 15.9 percent during
that same timeframe.
The company defines "consumer interest" as the number of in-market vehicle
shoppers at its website, http://www.NADAguides.com, who accessed pricing
information for a specific vehicle. Crossover utility vehicles are defined as
vehicles that have characteristics of both SUVs and cars.
Three out of the top ten CUVs showing the greatest increase in consumer
interest last month compared to April of last year were hybrids, with interest
in the Mercury Mariner Hybrid growing 165.3 percent and interest in the Ford
Escape Hybrid and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid increasing 73.8 percent and
50.9 percent respectively.
"The fact that three of the top ten CUVs showing the greatest increase in
interest were hybrids demonstrates that fuel efficiency is a serious concern,"
said Tara Baukus Mello, senior writer and lead market analyst at
NADAguides.com. "Consumers are not only interested in the styling and
handling characteristics of a CUV, they're also interested in saving money at
the gas pump."
Following is a complete list of the CUVs showing the greatest increase in
consumer interest at NADAguides.com in April 2008 compared to April 2007.
Hyundai Veracruz: 343.9% increase
Mercury Mariner Hybrid: 165.3% increase
Buick Enclave: 125.0% increase
Subaru Forester: 115.1% increase
Porsche Cayenne: 90.4% increase
Saturn VUE: 83.5% increase
Ford Escape Hybrid: 73.8% increase
Chevrolet HHR: 51.5% increase
Toyota Highlander Hybrid: 50.9% increase
Mazda MAZDA5: 44.6% increase

Coming off the heels of a 30.7 percent sales increase in 2007 compared to
2006, the mid-size CUV market remains strong and continues to grow, according
to Baukus Mello. Two new CUVs -- the 2009 Dodge Journey and the 2009 Ford
Flex -- get her nod for crossovers to watch in the coming months.
"The 2009 Dodge Journey starts at under $20,000 and is the automaker's
first crossover to seat up to seven passengers with an optional third row. It
has features such as a rearview camera and built-in booster seats," she said.
"With a starting price of about $28,000, the 2009 Ford Flex, with its
slab-sides and unique look, arrives this summer. Available features include
all-wheel-drive, a multi-panel Vista Roof and refrigerated second-row
console."
Note to Journalists: Photos of the 2009 Dodge Journey and the 2009 Ford
Flex are available for download at the NADAguides.com Press Room
(http://nadaguides.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=multimedia).
About NADAguides.com
NADAguides.com is the world's largest publisher of vehicle pricing and
specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as
well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats,
personal watercraft, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and manufactured
housing. At NADAguides.com (http://www.NADAguides.com), consumers have access
to a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation
information.
SOURCE NADAguides.com

Jennifer Lange of NADAguides.com, +1-949-916-4820, jlange@nadaguides.com