Last year, the reality of $4 gallons of gasoline (and, of course, economic uncertainly), caused a lot of changes in the auto industy in the U.S., from a drop in vehicle miles traveled to a decrease in big vehicle sales.
Looks like that $4 level is the tipping point for any future changes in driver behavior as well, according to a new survey put out by Cars.com.
The survey found that if gas were to shoot to over $4 a gallon again, 40 percent of car shoppers would "consider purchasing a new fuel-efficient car right away."
About the same amount, 41 percent, said that $4 gas would make them choose a "more efficient car the next time they were ready to buy a car." Even at $3.75, 29 percent of car shoppers thought buying a more efficient car "right away" was the right move.
Takeaway point: when gas prices go up, people will want to have greener cars.
The question is what kinds of vehicles will be available then the inevitable happens.
[Source: Cars.com]