Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
April 06, 2012 02:00 AM

NPD report: consumers drove fewer miles in 2011, paid more for gas

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    CHICAGO — U.S. consumers paid 24 percent more for less gas last year, despite driving fewer miles, according to motor fuels research by market research firm the NPD Group.

    NPD's Motor Fuels Index found that consumers paid 24 percent more dollars to purchase 1.7 percent fewer gallons in 2011 compared to 2010. The increased spending represents more than $76 billion dollars going into gas tanks in 2011 vs. the previous year.

    The results of the Chicago-based firm's 2011 index—which continually tracks consumer motor fuel purchasing behaviors and attitudes—were reminiscent of 2008, NPD said, when the national average price for a gallon of gas remained above the $3 per gallon mark for 12 months (November 2007 to October 2008).

    During that time, miles driven decreased by 55 billion miles. Prices once again crossed the $3 threshold in December 2010, NPD said, and remain above that level to date. Miles driven never fully recovered from the 2008 declines, and consumers cut back another 36 billion miles through December 2011.

    “Consumers continue to modify driving patterns to purchase fewer gallons, but it isn't enough to offset price increases at the pump,” said David Portalatin, motor fuels analyst at NPD. “There's no doubt that the consumer is losing share of wallet at the pump despite trying to reduce consumption.”

    With more of the wallet going towards gas, it means less to spend on other things, Mr. Portalatin pointed out. For example, NPD's Convenience Store Monitor, which tracks the consumer purchasing behavior of more than 51,000 c-store shoppers in the U.S., reports that total convenience store consumer traffic declined by 4 percent in 2011.

    This effect was more severe at oil company-branded outlets that are typically more dependent on gasoline to drive customer traffic. Traditional convenience chains that are more diversified in their food and beverage offerings were better positioned to weather the trend, Mr. Portalatin said.

    According to the most recent Motor Fuels Index findings, through March 2012, consumers have already cut back another 1 percent on gallon purchases of fuel but have spent 9 percent more for those gallons compared to the same time period a year ago.

    “Gas prices have continued to increase into the spring of 2012 with more increases expected,” according to Mr. Portalatin. “And while seeing $3 plus on the pump is no longer the shock it once was, there is still only so much money in the wallet, and something will need to give in order to fill the tank.”

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Goodyear to trim jobs amid 'uncertain' economic outlook
    2
    Goodyear to upgrade Cooper plant in China
    3
    Executives on the move: Hankook promotes key U.S. positions
    4
    Our View: Early look at tire industry in 2023
    5
    Yokohama secures OE fitments on 2023 Prius models
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION