Sport-Utility Vehicle Competition Revs Up

The future looks good for prospective sport-utility vehicle buyers, according to a recent study from J.D. Power & Associates. Two dozen models are expected to be introduced in the next five years, and the competition for buyers should result in lower prices for consumers--and lower profit margins for dealers. The study said that the new models may not attract new SUV customers, heightening the competition among manufacturers for buyers. New models range from high-end luxury vehicles, such as the just-introduced Mercedes-Benz M-Class, to compact SUVs, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.