High Gas Prices Boost Searches for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Among Shoppers on Cars.com
CHICAGO, May 3, 2006 -- As gas prices near an average of $3 a gallon nationwide, consumer searches and email leads sent to dealers for more fuel-efficient vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight have once again gained momentum. According to the latest cars.com Consumer Search Index, the Toyota Prius now ranks third on the list of new cars showing the greatest increase in searches month over month, and it has also cracked the top 10 in terms of most email leads sent to dealers.
"Consumer reaction to high gasoline prices this year is very similar to what we experienced last year when gasoline prices spiked above $3 a gallon," said Joe Wiesenfelder, cars.com senior editor. "However, this year the conversion of consumer searches into email leads to dealers has happened at a much faster rate, indicating that consumers may be more inclined to purchase a more fuel-efficient car this summer."
As consumer searches for more fuel-efficient cars escalate, searches for large SUVs and trucks are experiencing a noticeable decline. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer, Nissan Titan and Chevrolet Tahoe all made the list of top new cars experiencing a decline month over month.
Several new-car introductions continue to experience early success in terms of search numbers and email leads to dealers. The Toyota FJ Cruiser and Dodge Caliber continue to top the list of cars that saw the largest month over month increases. The Caliber also is among the top 10 vehicles searched on cars.com.
Vehicle Searches (April)
Models with the most searches performed on cars.com.
Top New-Car Searches Top Used-Car Searches
1 Honda Civic 1 Honda Civic
2 Toyota Camry 2 Honda Accord
3 Honda Accord 3 Ford Mustang
4 Toyota Corolla 4 Toyota Camry
5 Acura MDX 5 Toyota Corolla
6 Ford Mustang 6 Ford F-150
7 Toyota RAV4 7 Volkswagen Jetta
8 Dodge Caliber 8 Toyota Tacoma
9 BMW 325 9 Mitsubishi Eclipse
10 Volkswagen Jetta 10 Chevrolet Corvette
Search Increases (March-April)
Models with the largest increase in the number of searches performed on
cars.com.
Top New-Car Search Increases Top Used-Car Search Increases
1 Toyota FJ Cruiser 83.61% 1 Dodge Caliber 99.93%
2 Dodge Caliber 74.70% 2 Toyota Prius 82.33%
3 Toyota Prius 73.97% 3 Honda Insight 53.34%
4 Pontiac G6 42.86% 4 Toyota FJ Cruiser 51.26%
5 Toyota Camry 38.70% 5 Lexus RX 350 28.04%
6 Saturn Sky 36.36% 6 Geo Metro 24.22%
7 Volkswagen Jetta 32.78% 7 Saturn Sky 18.56%
8 Toyota Matrix 29.22% 8 Toyota Echo 14.06%
9 Toyota Corolla 23.20% 9 Scion xA 13.45%
10 Hyundai Sonata 21.00% 10 Volkswagen Golf 13.38%
Search Decreases (March-April)
Models with the largest decrease in the number of searches performed on
cars.com
Top New-Car Search Decreases Top Used-Car Search Decreases
1 Hyundai Azera 33.60% 1 Hyundai Azera 35.13%
2 Volkswagen GTI 25.35% 2 Ford Expedition 24.95%
3 Lexus RX 330 23.41% 3 Plymouth Grand
Voyager 24.52%
4 Jeep Grand Cherokee 19.84% 4 Chrysler Grand
Voyager 24.09%
5 Ford Explorer 19.71% 5 GMC Suburban 23.80%
6 Chevrolet Tahoe 18.50% 6 Chevrolet Suburban 23.22%
7 Ford F-150 18.26% 7 Chevrolet Tahoe 23.14%
8 Nissan Titan 17.57% 8 GMC Yukon XL 23.09%
9 Dodge Ram 16.96% 9 Dodge Durango 22.60%
10 Ford F-250 16.65% 10 Chevrolet
TrailBlazer EXT 22.55%
Top Dealer Email Inquiries (April)
New Cars Yielding the Most Used Cars Yielding the Most
Dealer Inquiries Dealer Inquiries
1 Honda Civic (2006) 1 Honda Civic (2002)
2 Honda Accord (2006) 2 Honda Accord (2003)
3 Toyota Camry (2006) 3 Honda Civic (2003)
4 Toyota RAV4 (2006) 4 Subaru Impreza (2004)
5 Toyota Prius (2006) 5 Honda Civic (2000)
6 Toyota Corolla (2006) 6 Honda Accord (2002)
7 Honda Odyssey (2006) 7 Toyota Supra (1997)
8 Toyota Tacoma (2006) 8 Ford Mustang (2001)
9 Toyota Sienna (2006) 9 Volkswagen Jetta (2004)
10 Honda Pilot (2006) 10 Audi A4 (2002)
Top Cars Listed For Sale By Owner (April)
1 Honda Accord
2 Honda Civic
3 Ford Mustang
4 Ford Explorer
5 Jeep Grand Cherokee
6 Ford F-150
7 Volkswagen Jetta
8 Toyota Camry
9 Dodge Ram
10 BMW 325
About the cars.com Consumer Search Index
The cars.com Consumer Search Index offers a comprehensive look at the internet search behavior of cars.com visitors. The statistical information is compiled by tracking the more than 8.3 million unique visitors that log on to cars.com each month and the vehicles that are most popular. The lists are based off a minimum of 4,000 searches for any given vehicle. Dealer inquiries measure the volume of emails consumers send to dealers seeking information about a particular vehicle. The information is supported by expert analysis from the cars.com editorial staff.
More statistical information to support automotive-related stories is available upon request. Please contact Steve Nolan directly at 312-601-5163.
About cars.com
Partnered with more than 200 leading metro newspapers, television stations and their websites, cars.com is the most comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site lists more than 1.5 million vehicles from 10,000 dealer customers, classified advertisers and private parties to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Recently selected by Forbes.com as a Best of the Web site for car shopping, cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of car shoppers connect with sellers each month.
