"Utility" means "capable of serving as a substitute in various roles or positions." Like a "utility infielder" in baseball, who plays second base, third base, and shortstop. So sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are made for more than one use. One, of course, is for driving on the streets.

What percentage of sport utility vehicle owners use them for their second role, the sport part? Two percent? One percent? Zero-point-five percent? Look around. Do you see mud on those tires?

Let's drive through the woods in this bad boy

But SUVs are built to be driven through the mud. They're advertised driving through the mud, and up mountains, through the woods, and on the beach. But nobody uses them for that stuff.

What does that say about people who buy sport utility vehicles? It says that advertisers and marketing experts have been successful at appealing to these consumers' base urges. SUV buyers spend $35,000 on a vehicle with an option that they not only don't need, but won't even use.

Status symbols, not mountain climbers

SUVs are status symbols, and buying one is good old-fashioned "Keeping-Up-With-The-Joneses" (and ahead of the Smiths).

One newer one, the Lincoln Navigator, looks like an SUV on steroids. Then along comes the 6,000-pound Hummer. "My status symbol is bigger than your status symbol."

I wonder what Dr. Freud would have to say about that one.

- posted by MAMCM2 @ 12:18 PM