Study Hints at Shifts in American Vehicle Buying

(Akron/Tire Review) A new study by the Opinion Research Corporation says that 78 per cent of Americans want the federal government to impose a 40-mile-per-gallon (MPG) fuel-efficiency standard for vehicles. And, the study shows, nine out of 10 Americans expect gas prices to go up in the near future. The study also said that 70 per cent of Americans now factor expected future gas prices into their vehicle buying criteria, and are looking for more fuel-efficient vehicles. Forty-five per cent claim they are now more likely to buy a hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicle than they were six months ago, compared to 30 per cent who are unchanged in their plans.