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Our love of SUVs is killing people in the streets

Americans are fond of supersized fast-food meals and colossal convenience-store fountain drinks, even though they're clearly bad for our health and U.S. adults keep getting fatter. We also like large vehicles, and our love affair with SUVs is killing people in the streets. According to a recent investigation by the Detroit Free Press/USA Today, the increase in SUV sales over the past several years coincides with a sharp rise in pedestrian deaths in the U.S. — up 46 percent since 2009, with nearly 6,000 people killed in 2016 alone. With SUV sales surpassing sedans in 2014 and pickups and SUVs currently accounting for 60 percent of new vehicle sales, it's no wonder Ford announced in April plans to cease U.S. sales of almost all passenger cars. And this followed Fiat Chrysler's move to virtually an all-truck, -SUV and -crossover lineup. While the Freep/USA Today investigation found that the simultaneous surge in SUV sales and pedestrian deaths comes down to vehicle size, it also points to a lack of action on the part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), even though it knew of the dangers SUVs pose to pedestrians. Also blamed are automakers dragging their feet on implementing active safety features. Using federal accident data, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) determined that there was an 81 percent increase in single-vehicle pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs between 2009 and 2016. Freep/USA Today's analysis of the same data by counting vehicles that struck and killed pedestrians instead of the number of people killed showed a 69 percent increase in SUV involvement. As far back as 2001, researchers at Rowan University forecasted a rise in pedestrian deaths as Americans began switching to SUVs. "In the United States, passenger vehicles are shifting from a fleet populated primarily by cars to a fleet dominated by light trucks and vans," the researchers wrote, with light trucks comprising SUVs.

Pontiac Aztek enjoys rebirth thanks to Millennials

Apparently, Millennials – those between 18 and 34 – aren't afraid to look different on the road, and they like performance, too. A new study by Edmunds is discovering some surprising vehicle choices by this group. Among them, the long-derided Pontiac Aztek is getting a new day in the sun with 25.5 percent its buyers coming from this generation in the first half of 2015. For comparison, Millennials represent an average of 16.8 percent of used car purchases. The Aztek is slowly shaking its reputation as a styling abomination, which seems tied to its appearance on Breaking Bad. The show premiered in 2008, and the Pontiac has been on this list for four of the past five years, according to Edmunds. It even led the pack in 2010. A recent Retro Review from MotorWeek also showed that the crossover wasn't always so hated. While it's still a shock to see the Aztek on any popularity list, the awkward-looking crossover only ranks sixth among Millennials. The vehicle with the biggest portion of buyers from the generation is the Dodge Magnum with 27.6 percent. According to Edmunds, the bluntly styled wagon is especially popular in Detroit and Chicago. The Chrysler Pacifica comes in a close second at 27.3 percent. When it comes to used cars, value and utility appear to trump just about anything else for many Millennial buyers," Edmunds analyst Jeremy Acevedo said in the report. Young buyers aren't afraid of sporty rides, either. The Subaru WRX has 26.4 percent Millennial buyers to rank third place on the list, and the Volkswagen R32 takes fifth at 25.7 percent. Just a few points lower in seventh place is the Nissan GT-R at 25.4 percent, and the final performance machine in 10th place is the Lexus IS-F with 24.7 percent. Related Video:

26k Chrysler 200 models recalled over parking woes

Chrysler is recalling nearly 26,000 of its 2015 200 sedans after customers reported that cars aren't shifting into park. Only vehicles equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 are affected by the recall, which includes both front-drive and all-wheel-drive models (which could represent as much as 20 percent of the recalled vehicles). The roughly 26,000 vehicles were built between March 17, 2014 and September 20, 2014. As for where those vehicles can be found, 22,107 were sold in the United States. The remaining vehicles went to Canada and Mexico, with 3,600 in the former and 213 in the latter. Chrysler is blaming the recall on "inconsistent assembly procedures" at a supplier's factory, and will replace the transmissions of any vehicles affected by the defect. Owners of V6-powered 200s are being told to use their parking brake in addition to shifting into park. Although five incidents have been reported, FCA isn't aware of any injuries or accidents. Scroll down for the brief press release. Statement: Park Engagement February 26, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is launching a recall of certain model-year 2015 cars to resolve manufacturing issues that may prevent the vehicles from shifting into park. Inconsistent assembly procedures at a supplier's plant have been linked to five reports involving customers who could not shift their vehicles into park. Without park, a vehicle may be subject to inadvertent movement. FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. The campaign is limited to the Chrysler 200 equipped with a V-6 engine. There are an estimated 22,107 in the U.S.; 3,600 in Canada and 213 in Mexico. Customers will be advised when they may schedule service. FCA US dealers will inspect and, if required, replace transmissions at no charge. In the interim, customers who own models with V-6 engines are advised to activate the vehicle's parking brake before shutting off its engine, because the shifter may incorrectly indicate park is engaged. Customers with additional concerns may call 1-800-853-1403. Related Video: