Tulsa World: Car buyers snatch up fuel-saver models

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Car buyers snatch up fuel-saver models

Brad and Leslie Hoyt stand next to their new Toyota Prius hybrid with their children Hunter, 7 (left), Lauren, 13, and Blaine, 17, and their pet dog, Jasper, on Monday at their home in Tulsa. JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World

By ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer
Published: 5/6/2008 1:39 AM
Last Modified: 5/6/2008 2:56 AM

Leslie Hoyt never thought she'd get a hybrid vehicle, much less a Toyota Prius.

That was before gasoline prices soared above $3 a gallon.

"It was the price of gas," Hoyt said. "When it came time for me to trade in cars, I started looking at the cars I thought I wanted to buy and noticed they got less than 20 miles a gallon. I just couldn't do it."

She and her husband, Brad Hoyt, are now two of a growing number of area residents who have bought smaller, more energy-efficient vehicles in recent months as gas prices hit record levels.

Kenneth Spencer, new-car sales manager at Jim Norton Toyota, said all models of hybrid vehicles sell the instant they hit the lot. He's now got a waiting list of more than 20 people and growing.

"Every year, Toyota ups production of hybrids, and every year there's a waiting list," Spencer said.

At the same time, sales of larger, gas-guzzling SUVs have slowed significantly as buyers turn to more efficient models.

Jerry Petty of Jerry Petty Motor Co. has been in the used vehicle business for decades, and he knows that car sales are often influenced by fuel prices.

Yet the 50 percent drop in his business is the worst he's experienced since the gasoline crisis in the late 1970s, he said.

"I think it's the economy as well as gas prices," Petty said. "Both hitting at the same time is just devastating."

Spencer said larger Toyota SUVs have taken a hit at his lot as well.

"Obviously, they've dialed back quite a bit," he said.

In many lots, overall car sales have been steady as smaller-car sales balance out weaknesses in their larger cousins.

Adam Clinkenbeard, new-car manager at Jim Glover Chevrolet, said hybrid vehicles, which mix gasoline with electric power for increased fuel efficiency, have been especially popular in recent months.

"We haven't been able to keep the hybrid Malibu in stock," he said.

Jack and Judy Holliday said they weren't looking to be Earth-conscious when they bought their hybrid Malibu, which gets up to 32 miles per gallon. They just saw a lot to like.

"It's a little different from anything she's driven before, and it's an outstanding car," said Jack Holliday. "She was also looking at the tax credit for purchasing hybrids and the better gas mileage."

Clinkenbeard said the hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe, which gets 22 miles per gallon, has just been introduced.

"Most people probably don't realize they're out yet," he said.

Though SUV sales have slowed, they still sell, especially the smaller models.

Wesley Norris, product specialist at United Hummer of Tulsa, said the H3 model, which gets 16-20 miles per gallon and is significantly smaller than the more familiar H2, is his top seller.

Then again, sales of the beefy H2, which averages 10 miles per gallon, haven't let up.

"H2 buyers generally don't worry about the gas mileage," he said.

Petty said he believes there will always be a market for some SUVs, either due to work or a large number of passengers.

"Some SUVs are doing worse than smaller cars, some aren't," he said. "Families with five or six kids have to get an SUV to haul around all their kids."

Spencer said the relationship between fuel prices and vehicle sales is all cyclical. He's seen smaller and larger vehicles become more and less popular as gasoline prices fluctuated before.

"There's a big group of people who will trade in their SUVs for Corollas or something smaller whenever gas prices are up," he said. "But when gas goes down, they'll trade them back in for an SUV. It's crazy."

Robert Evatt 581-8447
robert.evatt@tulsaworld.com
By ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer

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LC, OKC (5/6/2008 7:49:24 AM)

The statement by Wesley Norris about the H2 buyers says it all. H2 buyers generally don't worry about the gas mileage. That proves the old saying, if you can afford to buy one then you can afford to drive one. That's okay with me, but, that being the case then I think that the Oklahoma Tax Commission should start charging a Luxury Tax on those who drive such gas guzzlers. They could then put that money into research for alternative fuels, roads, etc. The two cars that I have both get 30 miles per gallon or better.

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Anthony Bhal, Tulsa (5/6/2008 8:49:20 PM)

Wait until all these hybrid owners go in for work. Dealership only on most models. Battery replacement can cost upward to $4k on some models.
In short all this money they may save at the pump will cost them on the long run.

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