# 3191m - 2000 33c Celebrate the Century - 1990s: Sports Utility Vehicles

US #3191m
2000 Sport Utility Vehicle – Celebrate the Century (1990s)

• Part of the tenth and final sheet in the Celebrate the Century stamp series issued from 1998-2000
• Commemorates the SUV’s increased presence in the 90s
• Includes text on the back with historical details

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Celebrate the Century
Value: 33¢ First Class Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: May 2, 2000
First Day City: Escondido, California
Quantity Issued: 82,500,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Intaglio
Format: Panes of 15
Perforations: 11.5
Tagging: Block tagging

Why the stamp was issued: To recall the rise in popularity of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in the United States.

About the stamp design: Pictures artwork by Drew Struzan of an SUV with a scenic landscape in the background. Includes the following text on the back: “Originally designed for off-road driving, sport utility vehicles became commonplace on city and suburban streets. Offering versatility, comfort, and a rugged image, SUVs were a popular choice for American families and commuters.”

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Village Amphitheater of San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido, California.

About the Celebrate the Century series: The USPS launched the Celebrate the Century series in 1998 to mark the end of the 20th century and herald the arrival of the 21st. The series includes 10 sheets of 15 stamps (150 in total), with each honoring important moments from a different decade (1900s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s). At the time of completion, it was the longest and most ambitious commemorative stamp series in US history.

History the stamp represents: Sport utility vehicles, like the Chevrolet Suburban, have been on the market since the 1960s. But this term for the automobile class wasn’t used until the 1990s, when the popularity of “SUVs” exploded.

Sales of sport utility vehicles increased 200 percent during the ‘90s, an accomplishment very few other automobile classes have achieved. Initially engineered for off-road driving and towing, SUVs are a modified light truck. But it wasn’t off-road drivers who made USVs hot-sellers – it was families. Trucks like the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Blazer, Nissan Pathfinder, and Jeep Cherokee became trendy family cars that could easily accommodate both children and pets. Similar to the minivan of the 1980s, SUVs appealed to those who needed plenty of room for passengers and cargo. They provided a clearer view of the road and comfortable car-like interior, with a rugged-appearing exterior.

SUV sales were estimated at nearly three million in 1998, with no signs of decreasing. There are approximately 40 different models on the market today. The huge consumer demand for SUVs has motivated companies like Porsche, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz, usually associated more closely with luxury cars, to manufacture their own sport utility vehicles.