Who is Buying SUVs and Light Trucks in Montreal? A Factor and Cluster Analysis

The steady growth in light truck use and ownership in Canada is a cause for concern because it poses significant negative externalities in the form of higher fatalities, increased congestion, impacts on the environment, and infrastructure wear and tear. Understanding why drivers choose to use these vehicles is important for policymakers interested in decreasing their use. Using data from 2,203 vehicle owners in the Montreal metropolitan area, this study uses a factor-cluster analysis approach to generate five distinct groups of drivers: a uto-dependent families, pragmatic drivers, established drivers, physically active workers, and urban drivers. Identifying these unique groups can be a useful step for policymakers interested in reducing light truck ownership by influencing vehicle choice changes, mode shifts, and land use changes. Findings from this study can help transport policymakers better understand the nuanced factors that influence the choice of a light truck on Montreal’s roads.