Short Memories

It’s again more important to be able to drive with a big gulp than to drive a little gulper, apparently. Just a few weeks into falling gas prices, new vehicle shoppers have ranked “overall fuel economy” No. 21 among attributes they most care about, two spots behind cup holders, according to a survey by CNW Marketing Research of Bandon, Ore.

Way back when, in the first quarter of this year, things were different. When gas prices were rising to more than $3 a gallon on average, fuel economy trumped cup holders, though it still sat below essentials like low monthly payments and a good sound system.

How short Americans’ memories are. In early August, regular gasoline averaged exactly $3 per gallon nationwide, according to the Department of Energy, and things looked dire. By mid-October, gas had fallen 26%, to $2.19 per gallon.

Whew. Time for that Hummer again.

Forbes