AAA Survey Shows Mileage is Top Consumer Concern

We’ve all been wondering what the consumer threshold for pain at the pump would be. With gas at a national average of $3.27 per gallon, we may have found it. According to a new AAA survey, American consumers may finally have reached a point where gas prices are affecting their car-buying behavior more than any other factor.

According to the survey, not only has fuel economy become the No. 1 concern for consumers (surpassing the brand name), these same Americans overwhelmingly favor stricter government regulations on fuel efficiency.

Of those surveyed, 61% said the federal government should require new cars, trucks and SUVs to face tougher fuel economy standards, while slightly fewer, 56%, said the government should increase funding for research into alternative and renewable fuels.

This does not necessarily mean that everyone wants to run out and buy a Prius, but rather that car buyers are calculating the fuel efficiency of their next vehicle with more care. For instance, instead of buying a large SUV, a buyer may opt for a more efficient crossover. Instead of going with six cylinders, the buyer may decide that the four-cylinder engine will do just fine.

Will fuel economy be your foremost concern in your next car purchase? If not, what will be?

Mileage at Top of Car Buying List (Detroit News)