Number of the Day: 4

Sales numbers for cars in the US are out for last month, and there are some interesting trends.

4 -- For the first time in 17 years, the Ford F150 is not #1. It was displaced to #4 by the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla. More evidence that small cars are becoming more popular in the USA. Autoblog puts it poetically by saying: "Note to automakers: that would be the sound of the canary in your coal mine hitting the floor."

47.2 -- That's the percentage increase in sales for MINI, maker of the Mini Cooper, a compact car. Last month's biggest gain.

–61.7 -- That's the percentage decrease of sales of the Hummer brand, makers of big SUVs mostly bought by suburbanites. Last month's biggest loss.

These numbers are consistent with the bigger picture, such as GM closing down 4 SUV plants and shifting focus to passenger cars, and hybrid cars selling well. ::By the Numbers/May 2008: F-150 Falls Edition

Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:

• 2 Wheels, Not 4: Pedal Towards Bicycle Activism in 10 Revolutions Per Minute
• The Top Ten Most Fuel Efficient Cars of 2010--And the Worst Gas Guzzlers
• 16 Big Green Ideas We're Thankful For
• Just Say No to Polite Small Talk This Thanksgiving: How to Handle 7 Hairy Topics and Keep the Peace
• 12 Ways to Enjoy an Island Staycation, Staten Island That Is
• In Berlin, Eager to Knock Down More Walls

Drought

Oil

Laundry

Gadgets