Fuelish Concerns

Though gas prices have eased in recent months, fuel economy remains a top priority among car buyers, according to a recent survey conducted by the Consumer Federation of America in Washington, D.C. A whopping 88 percent of respondents said that fuel economy would be an important factor in their next vehicle purchase. And at that, buyers expect a new model will be significantly more fuel frugal than the one they’re currently driving. Those who said they drove a car that gets 24 mpg anticipate their next vehicle will obtain 31 miles per gallon, which represents a 29 percent increase. What’s more, 85 percent of respondents in the survey indicated they support federal requirements that will raise the average new-vehicle fuel economy to 35 mpg by 2017 and 55 mpg by 2025. “These results should lay to rest any concerns that some car dealers had about consumer demand for more fuel efficient vehicles,” says Jack Gillis, CFA director of public affairs.