Nationwide automotive sales were up 2 percent in April, though more consumers are seemingly making the switch to fuel-efficient vehicles.
An Associated Press report said that while 1.2 million vehicles of all sizes were sold in April, consumers remain wary of gas guzzlers like sport-utility vehicles and full-size pickup trucks.
Among the big winners last month were Toyota, which sold more than 178,000 units, a 25.5 percent increase over April 2011. Of the “big three” American car companies, only Chrysler reported a gain of 20 percent, while Chevrolet and Ford slipped 8 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
Toyota offers two gas-saving vehicles, including the Prius and Camry Hybrid models. The Prius gets 42 miles per gallon on the highway, while the Camry gets about 43 mpg.
The most fuel-efficient car on the road, however, is made by Mitsubishi. The all-electric “I” model is rated at 126 mpg in the city and 99 mpg on the highway.
Chevrolet’s foray into the electric vehicle, the Volt, was initially beset by complaints concerning battery life and problems with overheated charging cords. Donnie Marlow, sales and leasing consultant for Champion Chevrolet in Athens, said issues with the vehicle have been resolved, though serious inquiries from local buyers have been few.
He said customers have expressed a greater interest in fuel-efficient vehicles like the Cruze, Sonic and Malibu models, all of which are rated at 30 mpg or better.
Marlow said the pickup truck market remains strong, however, despite spring fuel prices.
Down the road at Jimmy Smith Buick GMC, sales consultant Bill Whisenant said more customers are inquiring about fuel-efficient vehicles, though truck sales are strong. He said people who need trucks will buy one, no matter what they pay at the pump.
“(Gas prices) are on everybody’s mind right now, no doubt about it,” he said. “People now get excited when gas breaks (below) $3.50.”
The average price of gasoline in Alabama Tuesday was about $3.55 per gallon, down sharply from last month’s high of $3.79.
Gas prices in Athens varied by as much as 20 cents on Tuesday, according to website gasbuddy.com. The Chevron at the corner of Capshaw Road had regular for $3.48 per gallon, while the Chevron on U.S. 72 near West Washington Street had regular for $3.69.
“It’s like my dad said, ‘I’m going to drive what I want to drive,’ and not care about the (cost of) gas,” Marlow said.
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