Americans enjoy driving huge cars, but finding proper parking for their oversized vehicles when most parking lots and garages only offer small spaces can be a challenge, writes Christina Rogers for The Wall Street Journal.

The issue comes partly because a number of downtown garages and parking lots were built in the late 1970s and the 1980s, when smaller cars were the norm.

Compact-car spaces, usually seven feet to eight feet wide and 15.5 feet deep, are also becoming standard in some overcrowded cities as developers try to squeeze in more parking spaces.

SUV sales started to surge in the late 1990s, holding strong during the early 2000s. When the economy collapsed in 2008, many drivers gave up their big vehicles for smaller and more fuel-efficient cars. But now, the pendulum is again swinging in the other direction.

“You’ve got two trends moving in opposite directions,” said Trent Lethco, a consultant with engineering firm Arup.

In an attempt to combat this issue, auto makers are implementing new parking-assistance technologies, including back-up cameras and collision-warning systems, to help drivers better navigate the tight parking spaces.

Read more about the parking issue in The Wall Street Journal by clicking here.