WomenWithWheels.com

Yahoo! Autos Surveys Its Users

Susan Frissell
Women With Wheels

According to Yahoo! Autos, Americans are likely to change their driving behavior in the face of impending war and rising gas prices. In an online survey conducted by Harris Interactive, more than three-quarters (78 percent) of consumers surveyed stated they would either buy a hybrid or consider one within their top choices for their next vehicle purchase or lease if the federal government were to extend tax breaks and other incentives for hybrid owners.

The Yahoo! Autos survey, based on responses from 2,556 U.S. adult consumers between February 13-17, 2003 demonstrates that Americans are concerned about rising gas prices and a possible war with Iraq. Among the changes consumers are considering to combat the rising gas prices are to drive less often (43 percent), buy a more fuel efficient vehicle (23 percent), carpool more frequently (10 percent), and take public transportation more often (9 percent).

When studying gender differences among the responses, more men (39 percent) claimed that they would not change their behavior at all compared to 32 percent of women. In terms of regional differences, more residents of Western states plan to carpool (16 percent) and use public transportation (14 percent) than the national averages.

"With gas prices hitting more than two dollars a gallon in some parts of the country," says John McElroy, automotive industry expert, "consumers feel compelled to change their behavior to cope." "Fuel consumption is becoming even more of an influencing factor in people’s automotive purchasing decisions."

Overall, when asked which type of vehicle respondents planned to purchase or lease next, hybrids were the fifth most popular choice out of 10 nationally, surpassing two-door coupes (number six), sport cars (number 7) and wagons (number 10). In the Western U.S., hybrids were even more popular, especially among men, coming in as the fourth most popular choice behind four-door sedans (number one), SUV’s (number two) and trucks (number three).

Ramy Mora, senior marketing manager for Yahoo! Autos noted "these survey results are also reflected in the hybrid interest we’re seeing among Yahoo! Autos consumers. "In fact," she said, "in recent months, we’ve seen a 51 percent increase in searches for hybrid vehicles."

J.D. Powers & Associates reports sales of hybrids are expected to reach 500,000 units by 2006, noted McElroy. "The new designs coming from Ford and General Motors coupled with increased tax breaks will make them a more attractive option for buyers."

Yahoo! Autos offers a complete set of tools and services for new car shoppers, helping consumers with every step of the car buying process. The site offers consumer and expert reviews, car quotes from local dealers, research models and pricing, compare features, and access to content from Consumers Reports, Edmunds.com, Consumer Guide and Kelley Blue Book. Consumers can also sell their vehicles on the site.