As Gas Hits $4 Per Gallon, Demand For Hybrid Cars Soars

Harry Lay
by Harry Lay

With the average price for a gallon of gasoline above $4, many American drivers are looking to dump the family gas-guzzler as quickly as possible and buy a more fuel efficient hybrid. But according to Jeff Bartlett, deputy online automotive editor at Consumer Reports, this is the worst time to do so.

With so many consumers trying to get rid of their SUVs, used market prices are falling rapidly. At the same time, incentives are disappearing for hybrids. Bartlett explains that the best advice he can give to people is to hold on to their SUVs for the coming months until demand for hybrids hits a lull, allowing buyers to get more for thier previous vehicle.

Bartlett clarified that consumers should not make irrational decisions, jumping from one car to the next based on short-term changes but rather to gauge long-term trends. “We encourage people to make a careful decision they can live with,” Bartlett said.

[Source: Hybrid Cars]

Harry Lay
Harry Lay

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  • Chad Chad on May 18, 2011

    Sure, something like that car pictured is high MPG, but it is ugly as sin. Have people lost touch with the idea that a car should also look good? Must we sacrifice beauty for MPG?

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