Millennials driving SUV boom

A new survey from Ford shows that the youngest generation of the car-buying public is the most likely to plump for something with off-road styling

The study of 5000 adults across the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain found that 17-34-year-olds are the most likely to feel that an SUV reflects style and success. What's more, one in four respondents in that age group considering a new car purchase in the next year is sizing up a crossover or SUV.

The younger generation also feels that crossovers have seriously improved their environmentally friendly credentials over recent years -- 84% believe they have become more fuel efficient since 2010, and 52% feel that it is the only type of car that delivers the right combination of toughness as well as lifestyle and emotional appeal.

'The survey makes two important points -- the SUV boom in Europe is not a passing fad and young people are not as ambivalent about car ownership as some suggest -- especially when it comes to SUVs,' said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. 'For both rational and emotional reasons, many younger buyers in Europe see SUVs as the perfect choice for them.'