Minivans More Popular With Chicago Area Consumers

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Feb. 6 -- An analysis of new vehicle registrations conducted by R. L. Polk & Co. for the 2001 calendar year indicates that Chicago area market share for minivans and vans is 31 percent higher than the average across the U.S.

As the Chicago auto show gets underway, we're anticipating that the minivan displays will see lots of customer traffic,'' said Eric Papacek, an analytic consultant for Polk. ``Our statistics indicate that minivans and cars are thriving in the Chicago market, while pickup trucks are suffering mightily -- with 58 percent fewer registered here than the nation as a whole.''

Minivans represented 10.4 percent of new vehicle registrations in the Chicago area in 2001. This is 31 percent higher than the national average of 7.9 percent for the segment. Chicago area consumers also register a higher percentage of small cars, mid-size cars, large cars, luxury cars and sport utility vehicles than the national average. The segment that pays the price in the Chicago market is pickup trucks -- where the average of 8.3 percent is 58 percent lower than the national average of 19.6 percent for the segment.

SUV Segment Leads Overall in Chicago

Polk's analysis also indicates that -- just like the rest of the nation -- Sport Utility Vehicles hold a strong market share lead among all automotive segments in the Chicago area. More than 25 percent of all new vehicles registered in the Chicago area during 2001 were SUVs -- slightly higher than the national average.

``The SUV rules the American road, and it's no different in Chicago,'' Papacek said. ``The SUV is the vehicle of choice for consumers in Chicago and across the country.''

About R. L. Polk & Co.

Polk has served the automotive industry for nearly 80 years and is the longest standing curator of automobile records in the United States. Founded in Detroit in 1870, Polk launched its motor vehicle statistical operations in 1922 when the first car registration reports were published. The company now provides automotive solutions to nearly every segment of the motor vehicle industry as an analytical consultant and statistician, as a provider of database-marketing services, and as a supplier of vehicle histories. Based in Southfield, Mich., Polk is a privately held global firm, currently operating in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

2001 Chicago DMA Market Share Percentages, Compared to U.S.A. Source: R. L. Polk & Co.'s industry-leading automobile registration database

Auto Segment Chicago DMA Market Share U.S. Market Share Small Car 15.8% 13.7% Midsize Car 23.7% 19.8% Large Car 2.2% 1.8% Luxury Car 10.2% 8.6% Sports Car 2.4% 2.7% Van / Minivan 10.4% 7.9% Sport Utility Vehicle 25.6% 24.6% Pickup Truck 8.3% 19.6% Other 1.4% 1.3% Totals 100% 100%