"With gas prices down, consumers are likely to reverse the short-term driving pattern [image-nocss] changes they made when gas prices were high, but it's unlikely that the consumers who made more permanent changes, like changing jobs to work closer to home, will go back to their previous driving behaviors," said David Portalatin, director of industry analysis for Port Washington, N.Y.-based based NPD's automotive division, who presented the survey results at an automotive aftermarket industry conference being held in Las Vegas. "Consumers' concern about the economy and the fact that many believe gas prices will soon go up again, also impacts their driving behaviors."
The NPD survey of 1,363 consumers captures the changes consumers made to cope with high gasoline prices. In addition to driving less miles, consumers changed their commuting methods (e.g., carpooling), shopping patterns (e.g., reducing or consolidating shopping trips) and took action to increase fuel efficiency (e.g., avoiding idling).
Consumers also changed their approach to auto maintenance as it relates to fuel efficiency. More than half of the respondents said they checked the tire pressure, 37% changed the air filter and 23% replaced the fuel filter. They also reported changing the oil more often; using fuel additives, more premium oil, oil additives or engine treatments to improve performance or gas mileage; and purchased higher-quality gasoline.
As for purchasing a new vehicle, 61% of those surveyed said they are not planning to purchase a new or used vehicle in 2009. Of those consumers who said they were going to purchase a new or used vehicle, 41% said they plan to buy a more fuel efficient vehicle and 43% said they possibly would buy a more fuel efficient vehicle. The majority of consumers who said they would buy or possibly buy a more fuel efficient car did not select a specific type of fuel efficient vehicle, but 29% said they would buy a hybrid.
"When gas prices were high, consumers made conscious changes in all areas of their lives that involved a car," said Portalatin. "Today's automotive consumers are more informed about fuel efficiency and have more fuel efficient options available to them. Some will go back to their gas guzzling ways, but many have had their consciousness raised regarding fuel efficiency."
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