Toyota and General Motors were among automakers whose compact cars and hybrids received a jump in shopper interest last month as gas prices approached $3.40 a gallon, according to the New Car Insights Report on AutoTrader.com.
Four Toyotas - the Prius and Prius V hybrids and Corolla and Yaris compacts - were among the 20 models that were subject to the largest increase in customer interest between December and January, according to the report. Shopping interest in GMs Buick Verano compact sedan almost doubled in January, marking the largest jump, while Chevrolet's Sonic and Cruze compact models also made the top 20. The Subaru Impreza also had a surge in consumer interest last month.
Overall, the number of people shopping for compacts rose 1.1 percentage points while full-size trucks had a 1.7 percentage-point drop in consumer interest. Shoppers may be gearing up for the heavier spring and summer driving seasons - and the resulting gas-price increases - by looking at more fuel-efficient cars.
U.S. fuel prices rose almost 20 cents a gallon last month to about $3.53 a gallon, and are up about 12 percent in the past year, according to AAA. Last year, refueling costs accounted for 8.4 percent of an average family's annual income, the highest number in 30 years.
Continue reading Interest in Toyota, GM compacts, hybrids jumps in January
Interest in Toyota, GM compacts, hybrids jumps in January originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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