A study conducted by Edmunds shows that demand for V8 engines has fallen in almost every segment. Only the pickup segment escaped the trend.
Overall demand for V8s has dropped from 19 percent in 2006 to just 15 percent this year. SUVs recorded, of course, the biggest decline. Two years ago, 24% of buyers opted for a V8, but at the end of 2007, that number fell to just 18%. In the meantime, the V8 saloon market has also seen a shift in demand, with V8 take rates dropping from 36% to 29%.
Even iconic engines are not immune. The Chrysler’s Hemi V8 was chosen by 60 percent of Charger’s buyers two years ago while only 38 percent of them chose the V8 option today.
On the other hand, V8 demand grew in the pickup segment. Indeed, high gas prices have discouraged casual owners but not the core users who still need a powerful pickup for work.
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