Are SUVs used to match their utility? SUV use in New Zealand from 1989 to 2006.

This study analysed New Zealand Household Travel Survey data from 1989 to 2006 to assess changes in sports utility vehicle (SUV) use over time. SUVs were identified using vehicle make and model information and compared to a sample of cars matched on owner age, gender, and income to control for confounding influences on use. The proportion of SUVs to cars in the New Zealand vehicle fleet increased 7.3 per cent from 1989 to 2006. The additional utility SUVs provide did not differentiate their pattern of use from cars. Privately owned SUVs were used as a substitute for cars, with lower vehicle occupancy and similar proportions of recreational trips compared with cars. The extra utility SUVs provide appears to be utilized by a sub-group of traditional SUVs which continue to be used for commercial purposes. (a) For the covering record of the conference, please refer to ITRD no. E218380.