Sales of gas-inefficient large SUVs are in a state of near-collapse this month. It seems likely that the shift in the sales mix away from large SUVs will persist and continue to damage Detroit's profit margins in the process.

Sales of gas-inefficient large SUVs are in a state of near-collapse this month, ... It seems likely that the shift in the sales mix away from large SUVs will persist and continue to damage Detroit's profit margins in the process.

I think that the sales drop is temporary. Explorer buyers, or some of the buyers, may be buying Ford's new small Escape SUVs or waiting until the new Explorer itself comes out after the first of the year.

I think that the sales drop is temporary, ... Explorer buyers, or some of the buyers, may be buying Ford's new small Escape SUVs or waiting until the new Explorer itself comes out after the first of the year.

It was good year for car sales overall, but GM, Ford suffered particularly because of the collapse of their big SUVs.

It is due entirely to the Big Three's unusual level of sales to daily rental fleets.