Auto sales figures for May reflect some consumer reaction to $3-plus gas prices, but Greens hoping for a mass migration to small cars and hybrids by global warming-panicked Americans will be disappointed. Note too, that April/May traditionally sports the highest gas prices of the year as refineries struggle through mandated fuel-mix changes at the same time they are trying to match increased seasonal demand.
In other words, car/SUV sales were at 50/50 for May but are expected to return to the 45/55 mix this summer. In May, cars were up 6 percent and SUVs 4 percent. Jesse Toprak, an analyst for the Edmunds.com auto Web site, tells AP that gas prices clearly influenced buyers in May, but they also went for incentives and the most updated designs in categories that aren’t known for fuel efficiency.
Highlights:
Prius hybrid sales skyrocketed by 200 percent even as Lexus hybrid sales sank. Honda Accord hybrid? Down 15 percent. Toyota Camry hybrid? Up 8 percent.
GM’s Chevy Suburban – the biggest beast out there – saw sales rise. Ditto, Toyota’s huge Tundra trick (15 mpg) with sales up 122 percent to 17,000 – selling almost as many units as the Prius.
Bottom line: This is one rich country.