News Briefs: GM, Toyota, DuPont, Harris Poll(2)

GM Plans Redesigns General Motors full-size SUVs and pickups — Suburban,
Tahoe and Silverado — may be restyled for the 2008 model year. A pickup-truck version of
the Hummer H2 may also be on the way for 2005. Hybrid powertrain options may be available.
Toyota Rumors Toyota’s Tundra pickup should get a heavier one-ton version
soon, and a facelift in 2007, along with a full four-door crew cab. Lexus may eliminate the
LX 470 with an upscale take on the Toyota Sequoia, and a bigger engine may be on the way
for 2006. Silver Most Popular Color For the third consecutive year, the
color silver is the most popular hue selected for motor vehicles, according to DuPont’s
annual “Automotive Color Popularity Report.” Various shades of silver accounted for 23
percent of the market, including luxury, full-size, intermediate, sports and passenger
cars. Silver also was a strong second to white for light truck, vans and SUVs.
Seatbelt Use Up A survey conducted by the Harris Poll shows that 85
percent of American adult drivers use their seat belts. That figure is up from 20 years ago
when a similar poll concluded only 19 percent wore seat belts. Usage continued to rise
steadily for several years, but in the mid-1990s it leveled out at around 75 percent. A
poll conducted in 2000 found that only 79 percent of drivers wore their seat belts. The
latest poll indicates there has been a significant jump in the number of people who buckle
up.