NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

February 18, 1999

Truck Numbers Up in North Dakota; Use Changing

The number of registered trucks in North Dakota grew by more than 17 percent during the five-year period from 1992 through 1997—up from 290,500 to 340,900—according to the latest Economic Brief released from the North Dakota State Data Center. And while trucks appear to be growing in popularity among North Dakotans, their use of these vehicles is changing.

"This is best reflected in the sharp rise of registered minivans and sport utility vehicles from 1992 through 1997," says Richard Rathge, data center director. "However, pickup trucks are, by far, the most popular form of truck, accounting in 1997 for 54 percent of all trucks registered in North Dakota."

Pickups, panel trucks, minivans and sport utility vehicles represented more then 80 percent of all North Dakota's registered trucks in 1997, up from 68 percent in 1977, Rathge says. Conversely, platform and cattle-rack trucks dropped from 25.6 percent in 1977 to less than 5 percent in 1997.

Vehicle acquisition has seen changes during the past 20 years as well. The proportion of new vehicle purchases has dropped steadily, from 43.2 percent in 1977 to 32.6 percent in 1997. Meanwhile, the proportion of used vehicle purchases has risen, from 54.9 percent in 1977 to 62.5 percent in 1997. Leasing has also seen small gains, rising from 1.9 percent in 1977 to nearly 5 percent in 1997.

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Source: Richard Rathge (701) 231-8621

Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136

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