High Gas Prices Force Consumers to Alter Lifestyle, Edmunds.com Survey Shows
July 09, 2008

SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- High gas prices have prompted consumers to quickly make lifestyle changes, particularly in terms of their driving habits and car-shopping preferences, according to a survey by Edmunds.com, the parent of AutoObserver.

"This is a fascinating insight into how quickly consumer behavior is changing in response to high gas prices," said Philip Reed, Edmunds.com senior consumer advice editor. "Based on the results of the survey it appears we are moving into a very different era both on the highways and in the showrooms."  

The survey, available to all Edmunds.com home page visitors between June 20 and June 25, asked visitors to respond to several brief questions. The 1,312 responses indicated the following:

* 95 percent  of respondents report making changes to lifestyle as a result of high gas prices; nearly 50 percent said they are driving fewer miles or combining errands to reduce fuel consumption;

* 93 percent of respondents have changed the way they drive or maintain their vehicle; 44 percent report driving slower or less aggressively to increase fuel economy

* 35 percent of respondents say they are already in the market for a more fuel-efficient vehicle; more than 50 percent will be in the market if gas reaches $5 per gallon, though respondents were generally optimistic that fuel prices won't rise much more in the near future.

* 73 percent believe the national average gasoline price will be under $5 per gallon during Labor Day weekend (August 29 - September 1, 2008)
 
Additional survey results and commentary is available on the Edmund.com Karl On Cars blog.

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