Auto Enthusiasts Predict $4 Per Gallon Price Tag Would Make Them Drive Less

DETROIT, May 12, 2006 -- A poll on http://www.autoweek.com/ revealed that once gas prices reach $4 a gallon, readers will be driving less.

AutoWeek readers are some of the nation's most passionate car enthusiasts. More than 3,100 have responded to date to the poll that asked: What price would gas have to rise to in order for you to seriously consider driving less?

The majority, 50.3 percent, thought that the quickly approaching $4 a gallon price would reduce their driving habits. Another 21 percent felt that $5 a gallon would make them drive less and 16.6 percent felt more than $5 a gallon would decrease their reliance on their automobile. Of course, 12 percent felt that no price was too high.

"Our readers view the car above many other things in their life," said Dutch Mandel, editor and associate publisher, AutoWeek. "For them to be this concerned about gas prices, it should be a red flag to automakers, tourist destinations and employers that consumers are going to be driving less this summer."

AutoWeek, with 3.2 million readers each week, is America's only newsweekly for car enthusiasts and those especially interested in the most up-to-date news and information on new vehicles, product evaluations, motorsports and automotive trends.