Santo Domingo.- The romance of Dominican motorists with the their SUVs (yipetas- from the original Jeep), whose sales last year topped those of cars, appears to come from the popular saying; "the horse defines the owner," referring to a social status, and their comfort and safety on roads.

But the love affair might come to a tearful end with rising gas prices and the telltale signs of the breakup is in Santo Domingo’s hundreds of dealers, who’ve suddenly become swamped with used SUVs to sale.

Enrique Fernandez and Cesar de los Santos, of the auto dealers grouped in ACOFAVE, and distributors, ANADIVE said the poor conditions of roads and unsafe traffic are the factors which most help increase in sales and importance of SUVs.

Of Dominican Republic’s 2,121,244 vehicles, 175,526 are SUVs, whose imports grew by more than 22 percent (31,175) in 2007, while there were only 24,184 more cars that year.

De los Santos said when buying an SUV Dominicans don’t take into account that they use more gas. "It’s longer a matter of status, it’s about security."

Japan leads in SUV imports with 75 percent, over the U.S.’ 15 percent, followed by Korea and Europe, at 5 percent.

Fernandez and de los Santos said consumers prefer high vehicles because the roads are bad and aren’t subjected to regular maintenance, and that many roads are huge potholes that become ponds when it rains.