Fuel prices prompt small car popularity surge
Date: 21/05/2008 12:00:00
Drivers could be looking to reduce their outlays by downsizing their vehicles, new figures show.
Motorpoint says sales statistics for the first three months of the year show a spike in the number of smaller vehicles
being bought.
The firm says customers seem to be avoiding diesel cars in particular, as these currently cost the most to fill up at the
fuel pumps.
Motorpoint managing director David Shelton said: "What is clear is that people are becoming ever more conscious of fuel
consumption, and as a result, small cars are proving extremely popular."
He added the actual number of cars being sold did not appear to be falling, as drivers simply change their preferences in
the light of economic uncertainty.
Models proving more popular include the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta, while vehicles like SUVs appear to be experiencing
a slump in popularity.
Rising fuel costs are the biggest regular outlay for most motorists, who must also pay for road tax, maintenance and
car insurance cover fees.
The average price of a litre of unleaded petrol in the UK stood at 113.3p this week, with the same quantity of diesel
costing 125.4p, according to petrolprices.com.