2011 Ford Fiesta

2011 Ford Fiesta

The new car buying process can be quite the task in today’s market. This is especially true with the growing numbers of hybrid and electric cars added to the pool of choices.

While hybrids and electrics don’t make up a large percentage of the market, miles-per-gallon (mpg) ratings are increasingly important to consumers as they evaluate new cars.

According to Ford, “42 percent of all consumers surveyed in a 2011 Maritz Research study say fuel economy is an 'extremely important' new vehicle purchase driver.”

Put into perspective, that's almost half of new-car buyers who now consider gas mileage to be "extremely" important. That number is up 13.5 percent from 10 years ago.

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Catskill Mountains, NY - average 37.2 MPG

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, Catskill Mountains, NY - average 37.2 MPG

Does this mean that 42 percent of buyers are trying to be green with their next vehicle purchase decision? Not necessarily.

A survey last fall by GfK Research showed that saving money was much more commonly cited as a reason to pick a specific model than was saving the planet.

But according to Ford, that tide may be turning from just a year ago.

“Consumers are taking a logical approach to making their lives better,” said Sheryl Connelly, manager of Ford Global Trends and Futuring. “Choosing a car that lessens their impact on the environment as well as their wallets can really create peace of mind.” 

Will MPG ratings be the most important consideration for your next vehicle purchase? If so, is that because it saves you money ... or because you want to lessen your impact on the environment? Or both?

Leave us your thoughts in the Comments below.

[Ford]

++++++++++++++++++

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.