During a private reception at Pendleton, Mr. Schwarzenegger marveled when marines showed him a 14-ton armored vehicle the size of a small suburban home, noting half-jokingly that he'd like one for his personal use.
In road testing a hydraulic hybrid truck in suburban Detroit, Michigan, the EPA found the vehicle used 40 to 50 percent less fuel than conventional diesel trucks while reducing carbon emissions by one third.
The growth of pickups is mirrored by the rise of the sports-utility vehicle and absurdly large cars such as the Chevrolet Suburban (so called because a small European suburb can be fitted inside).