I have heard it claimed this happened because: 1. Lawmakers put an import tax on trucks, and (perhaps not entirely intentionally) made emission standards for S

I have heard it claimed this happened because: 1. Lawmakers put an import tax on trucks, and (perhaps not entirely intentionally) made emission standards for SUVs lower than those for cars. 2. US automakers were getting their ass kicked by foreign imports that were much better made in the car segment, but not in the SUV and truck segment. 3. US automakers decided to heavily promote trucks and SUVs, the segments they were most competitive in. You know, pay to make sure all the characters in that TV show are driving SUVs and whatnot. 4. Lawmakers decided to maintain the state of affairs from 1 because they like US automakers.