Automakers raise the stakes in SUVs as Trump vows to ease fuel rules

Pickup trucks and SUVs have accounted for about 62% of all new vehicles sold in US so far this year

Americans want bigger, faster and more luxurious sport utility vehicles — and automakers are more than happy to fulfill the booming demand.New SUVs dominated media previews on Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show, the latest sign that the shift away from traditional cars is more than a short-term trend.

And the new vehicles are all about muscle. Ford Motor released a more powerful version of its extra-large Lincoln Navigator. There were high-octane offerings in the Jeep and Mercedes-Benz lines. And General Motors moved to cement its leadership in the category with a midsize model capable of towing a 20-foot