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May 4, 2008 7:11 pm US/Eastern
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Recent Trend Shows More People Buying Smaller Cars
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
While presidential candidates continue debating the gas tax, the price for a gallon keeps going up.
Tim Williams reports recent trends show more Americans are trading gas-guzzlers for smaller cars.
There was a time when bigger was better, but that trend has changed. Sales of SUVs are down by half from two years ago because of the nationwide spike at the pump.
"The gas mileage issue was not a prominent one in making a decision in what kind of vehicle to purchase. Now it's one of the first questions consumers ask," said Jesse Toprak.
For the first time, compact cars make up 20% of the US market. Toyota Prius and Yaris sales are up 54 and 46 percent respectively. The Ford Focus is up 44% and Nissan has jumped by 20 percent.
"Fuel always comes up as a question anytime they're buying a car. They wanna know what miles per gallon they're gonna get and with which vehicle they decide to choose," said Philip Burns.
Burns is the general sales manager for Len Stoler in Owings Mills. He says customers are becoming more curious and skeptical about hybrids and other economy cars.
"You do get the tax incentive savings but most of the systems when you're driving under 20 or 15 miles per hour is where you get your real savings because it's working off electricity. Now most people around here aren't driving that low miles per hour, so are you getting your savings or not?" Burns said.
Still, major manufacturers report April SUV and truck sales down. Ford is down 36% and General Motors is down 27%. Chrysler reports a quarter of its sales dropped, while Toyota trucks are off eight percent.
Dealers say price still dictates the sales conversation and gas mileage is now coming in a close second. But most dealers say what consumers are more concerned about is not what they drive but how they drive. More motorists are combining trips and errands now that last year's $2.96 for a gallon of regular unleaded has become $3.60.
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