Car buyers in record numbers like sport-utility vehicles for their versatility.
As automakers roll out their model-year 2000 products, buyers should expect to see a wide variety of sport-utility vehicles on dealership lots.
It's proof -- Lawrence dealers say -- the "sport-ute" segment of the automobile market continues to grow, with no end in sight.
Buyers are snapping up every new product that's introduced, and it looks like a saturation point hasn't been reached.
"The sport-utility market is very strong. There are lots of people who prefer that type of vehicle. Maybe women prefer it even more than men do," said Dale Willey, owner of Dale Willey Automotive, 2840 Iowa.
"These vehicles certainly have better visibility, and I think people feel a little safer in all weather conditions."
Willey's dealership offers several SUVs to choose among: the Cadillac Escalade; the GMC Jimmy; the Yukon; the Denali; and the GMC Suburban.
"Customers like the size of sport-utes, the versatility, plus today's vehicles are very luxurious. They have all the amenities people want," Willey said. Sales of these vehicles at the dealership are "strong and increasing."
It's the same story at Jim Clark Motors, 2121 W. 29th Terr.
The dealership sells a wide range of sport-utes: the Dodge Durango; the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee; the Jeep Wrangler; and the Trooper and Rodeo from Isuzu.
"Sales are really strong. People seem to want a four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle, whether they intend to take it off road or not," said Larry Walburn, general sales manager and co-owner of Jim Clark Motors.
"They like the ability to drive it in any kind of weather, and they like the safety features. People figure it's a little safer on slick pavement, and you sit higher than you do in a car.
"They handle very nicely, like a car. It's not the heavy, hard ride that it used to be," Walburn said.
The sport-utility segment of the market is still growing, said Marc Hauser, general sales manager of Laird Noller Automotive, 23rd and Alabama streets.
"The demand for these vehicles this year has already hit the demand levels projected for 2005," he said.
"I think it's because people want a vehicle they can drive to work and also recreate in, haul cargo with, go to the grocery store in. People like the safety aspects and the versatility."
Many buyers of Ford Explorers are women, he adds.
Ford offers three kinds of sport utilities: the Explorer, the Expedition and the new Excursion.
The latter is the biggest sport utility on the market yet. It has a 10,000-pound towing capability and can seat nine people.
Buyers can choose one of three engines: a 5.4-liter V-8; a 6.8-liter V-10; and a 7.3-liter, turbo-diesel V-8.
"We have one Excursion now, with more on order. Demand will exceed supply," Hauser said.
-- Jim Baker's phone message number is 832-7173; his e-mail address is jbaker@ljworld.com.
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