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More Consumers Put Fuel Economy on the Top of the List

June 19, 2012 by Julia Rege - Environment

Consumers’ are placing a higher importance on fuel efficient vehicles according to a recent Consumer Reports survey. The results of a survey the organization recently conducted showed nearly 73 percent of Americans would rank fuel economy over vehicle quality (the next highest purchase factor) when shopping for a new car. Here’s the breakdown of the Consumer Reports survey responses by percentage: 

Also according to the survey higher gas prices are moving the needle for consumers who are looking to gain a bigger bang for their buck and opening them up to considering alternative fuel vehicles; nearly two-thirds of surveyed drivers said they would consider an alternative fuel vehicle for their next car.

Key survey findings – alternative fuel vehicles

• Interest in flex-fuel and hybrids was almost tied at roughly 40 percent.
• Younger buyers are more open to alternatively fueled or purely electric cars than buyers who are older than 55.
• Only one in five respondents will consider a diesel car, despite their record for high fuel efficiency.
  Consumer adoption is Key

Global Automakers has long pointed out that consumer acceptance plays a central role in the purchase of fuel efficient technology, especially related to the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles. While fuel economy tops the list, beating out other categories by 20 percentage points or more, technology and innovation fall at the bottom of the list. 

Summer is road trip season across America, and with fuel costs edging toward record highs, consumers are looking for a solution. Consumer Reports says that motorists are driving less and contemplating moving to smaller fuel-sippers for their future auto purchase.

Learn more about the specifics of this survey by visiting the Consumer Reports website here.