Women See Fuel Efficiency As a Major Factor in Car-Buying Decision

CHICAGO, Nov. 15, 2005 -- A recent survey conducted by cars.com shows that about 20 percent of women rank fuel efficiency as a top priority in the car-buying process. Fuel efficiency ranks above other major influences in cars, such as safety, body style, carrying capacity and options.

The cars.com survey was designed to pinpoint the many factors that influence women's car-shopping behaviors. When asked about the top priorities outside of cost when choosing a car, more than 26 percent of respondents said reliability was their top priority. Reliability and fuel efficiency (20 percent) were followed by safety (15 percent), body style (12 percent), utility/carrying capacity (9 percent), handling and performance (9 percent), and options (3 percent). Only 1.9 percent of women listed engine size as a priority when shopping for a new car.

"Reliability has always been a top priority among both men and women shoppers when it comes to purchasing a vehicle," said Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor for cars.com. "However, the fact that fuel efficiency ranks second really shows us how the enormous rise in gasoline prices is affecting shopping behaviors."

When it comes to accessories, 70 percent of women said the most important option on a car is power seats/windows, followed by 31 percent saying a premium sound system is a high priority.

Sixty-five percent of women also prefer to do their car research online. And when it comes to major influencers in the car-buying decision, 40 percent of women said their spouse is the greatest influence.

It also comes as no surprise that the largest percentage of women -- 29 percent -- choose what dealership they purchase their car from based on advice they receive from a trusted source; however, women rank the internet above their friends as a source of influence in their car-buying decision.

Impulse Research Corp. conducted the cars.com online consumer car-shopping survey and used a random sample of 1,515 U.S. residents over the age of 25 who at least share decision-making responsibilities in the purchase or lease of their cars and trucks.

Cars.com has numerous tips and advice for women including the top 10 things women should know before buying a car. Cars.com also shares specific car knowledge all women should know before they own a car. For more information about what women should know about car buying, visit the cars.com Web site at: http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=female&story=femal eBuy&referer=advice&aff=national .

About cars.com

Cars.com lists more than 1.4 million vehicles from 10,000 dealer customers, classified advertisers and private parties to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of consumers connect with sellers each month.

Launched in June 1998, cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, ( http://classifiedventures.com/ ), which is owned by six leading media companies including, Belo , Gannett Co., Inc. , Knight Ridder , The McClatchy Company , Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company. .