The six-tonne CXT may be the world's least eco-friendly production vehicle Enlarge Image

Just as the US seems to be losing its taste for sports-utility vehicles (SUVs), a Texan firm has launched the great granddaddy of them all.

The CXT goes seven miles on a gallon of diesel, is as long as a London bus, and seats five in, if not comfort, at least a smug sense of superiority.

International Truck, which makes the CXT, calls it a "statement of success".

"If you brought this truck to the playground, you'd be king of the dirt pile," says Rob Swim, a director of the firm.

Pricey petrol

The timing of the CXT's launch seems peculiar.

HEAD TO HEAD Hummer H1: 184 inches long, 77 inches tall 7,600 pounds in weight 205 HP engine 440lb-ft of torque International CXT: 258 inches long, 108 inches tall 14,500 pounds in weight 220 HP engine 540lb-ft of torque

A prolonged period of high oil prices has brought groans of pain from US motorists, who have long become used to relatively cheap petrol.

Hummer, whose sales boomed amid the economic confidence of the late 1990s, has seen a 22% fall in orders this year, partly because of fuel costs, and partly because it has become the target of environmental campaigners.

With a fuel consumption of 10 miles to the gallon, the Hummer looks like a bicycle beside the CXT.

International suggests that the CXT would be perfect for a range of tradesmen, including "lawn care businesses, garden stores, brick or stone contractors, home builders, carpenters, landscape designers, roofers, home improvement companies."

In fact, with a price tag of at least $93,000 (�52,000), it will be selling mainly to the super-rich.

Last month, the manufacturer of the Hummer was bought by Ronald Perelman, a well-known Wall Street raider, in what was seen as a cleverly counter-intuitive deal.

Like the Hummer, the CXT is really aimed at people who are far too rich to care about oil prices.