AutoPacific Research - Consumers React to Historically High Fuel Prices

TUSTIN, Calif., Sept. 28 -- As the price of gasoline in the United States approaches the highest levels seen since the last gas crisis, the September 2005 Fuel Price Impact Survey conducted by AutoPacific shows that many consumers intend to shift the type of vehicle they drive. The Fuel Price Impact Survey is based on the results of a VehicleVoice Internet survey with 1,313 respondents who completed the survey between September 16 and 26, 2005.

While over half (56%) of the respondents indicate that they will not change the type of vehicle they drive, there clearly is impact on the Sport Utility Vehicle category. About 28% of SUV owners say they will shift to another type of vehicle next time they buy. The vehicle class most likely to benefit from this migration is Small Cars (up 44%). While the data do not show a direct relationship of drivers moving from SUVs to Small Cars, there is a tendency to move from less fuel-efficient classes to vehicle types that get better gas mileage.

Similarly, about 25% of drivers having vehicles powered by V8 engines say they will shift to more fuel-efficient engines. Vehicles with hybrid powerplants will be considered by 14% of the respondents. This is a reaction to the continuing positive media attention surrounding hybrid-powered vehicles and the public's perception that hybrids are an answer to the higher price of fuel. There is also somewhat more interest in diesel engines.

The culprits identified by the respondents as contributing to high fuel prices are Big Oil, OPEC and Hurricane Katrina. When asked whether high fuel prices are good or bad for America, 80% say that high fuel prices are "bad for America."