Gas prices gearing up, consumers gearing down

It’s no secret larger automobiles have always gotten worse gas mileage than their smaller counterparts. But with gas prices at an all time high of more than $4 a gallon, vehicle buyers are finally looking for smaller and more efficient ways to get from point A to point B.
The Autodata Corporation reported a 28 percent drop in national sales for SUVs for the first quarter of this year. Subcompact sales rose 32 percent in that timeframe.
Although sales are slipping for larger vehicles, people are still driving them – if only for short trips.
According to Jim Liufau of State Farm Insurance in Destin, many people are compensating for their favored gas-guzzler’s cost by buying an older, smaller car to drive long distances or to work.
“In Destin, we have a lot of nicer cars that typically don’t get great mileage,” he said. “We’ve noticed a lot of folks buying older Civics and other cars of that nature.”
The switch to more economically friendly vehicles has hurt U.S. automakers – most notably General Motors, which earlier this month announced a drop in overall sales by 30 percent in the month of May.
While the U.S. market is somewhat slipping because of its large inventory of truck and SUVs, import dealers are prospering with their push on compact cars and sedans.
Sam Nimmo of the Hampton Nissan/Hyundai dealership in Fort Walton Beach reported a significant interest in its smaller vehicles.
“They are selling like hot cakes,” he said. “We can’t keep the Nissan Versa on the lot.”
Panama City Toyota reported similar sales with their three smallest vehicles: Prius (hybrid), Yaris and Corolla.
Online statistics from car research companies also show a much larger interest in smaller vehicles than from last year.
NADA Guides reported a 96 percent consumer interest increase in small or compact cars between January and March – particularly the Toyota Yaris, which currently ranks as number one on Yahoo Autos sedan and coupe consumer interest charts.
The Yaris, which deputed in the United States two years ago to replace the Echo, gets between 35 and 40 miles per gallon on the highway and is listed at $11,000 as a starting price.
“I’m going to have to get a Toyota or something,” said South Walton resident Ray Barker.
Barker, a working commuter, gets approximately 18 mpg with his van. He said the low mpg has been really tough on him because of the amount of driving he has to do for his job.
“It’s crazy,” he said. “You almost have to work two jobs with the way things are going.”
While interest in small cars has grown considerably, more expensive hybrid (gasoline and electric running engines) vehicles have also seen an explosion in sales.
The Green Car Congress reported a 46 percent increase in hybrid sales in April from April 2007.
“My next car will probably be a hybrid, but not only because of the gas,” said South Walton resident Robin Blackwell. “Fuel is ridiculous, but when we can use other sources we should.”