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Car choices driven by fuel prices

Tuesday, 20 May 2008 10:55
The cost of fuel is making a big difference to car-buying trends, say Motorpoint
The sharply rising cost of petrol and diesel is having a steady impact on the choice of cars people are buying, according to car supermarket chain, Motorpoint.

Figures for the first quarter of 2008 show a substantial increase in the sales of small cars such as the Ford Fiesta, Fiat Grande Punto, Renault Clio and Vauxhall Corsa.

It is clear motorists are looking at ways of offsetting recent price hikes at the pumps.

The advent of the £5 gallon of petrol is clearly affecting buying behaviour. Motorpoint customers are spurning diesels in record numbers, opting for petrol engines instead.

Six times as many people bought the petrol version of the Vauxhall Corsa (1.2 16v Club) compared with the diesel, Motorpoint says.

Says David Shelton, managing director at Motorpoint: “While the credit crunch has impacted on the economy, our sales figures show it hasn’t slowed down the number of people buying new and nearly new cars.

"What is clear though is that people are becoming ever more conscious of fuel consumption, and as a result, small cars are proving extremely popular."

Sales of 4x4s are also showing signs of slowing, as customers become ever more conscious not just of the cost of petrol but also changes to road car tax.

In the recent Budget, the chancellor announced a new top band for the most polluting vehicles (those with over 265 C02 emissions).

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