The Big Stories in ‘07

This year’s Top 10 list for Most Requested vehicles underscores an increasing interest in fuel-efficiency among online new-vehicle shoppers. While that’s nothing new, it shows that fuel economy as an online purchase hot button has staying power. As gas prices continue to soar, and offline car shoppers continue to buy trucks in record numbers, Autobytel’s online car shoppers are more frequently opting for fuel-efficient vehicles, even at the expense of vehicle size and capability. Although accounting for over half of total US sales in 2007, trucks and SUVs are notably absent at the top of Autobytel’s Most Requested List.

After sharing a four-year stint as the Most Requested Vehicle Overall, Honda’s Accord and Civic are topped by the Toyota Camry as the most requested vehicle in 2007. Toyota also enjoyed three other Top Ten appearances with the Corolla, Prius and RAV4 taking the sixth, seventh, and eighth spots respectively. Toyota’s strong finish as Autobytel’s Most Requested automaker is reflective of its overall success in vehicle sales in 2007 – just falling short of GM by only about 3,000 vehicles in world sales.

For a second consecutive year, the Top 10 list consists of smaller, compact and subcompact sedans from Asian automakers. Although dominated by Japanese vehicles, BMW reinforces its presence in the Top 10 Most Requested list with the 3 Series, joining the Mini Cooper and also winning the Most Requested New Luxury Car.

What to look for in ’08

Despite not making the Top 10 Most Requested list in 2007, trucks and especially SUVs/Crossovers are a category to watch more closely in '08. General Motors’ breakthrough two-mode hybrid technology and new line up of crossover vehicles like the Buick Enclave and new Chevrolet Traverse will give the automaker a significant fuel economy platform, especially when it comes to large SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe Two-Mode Hybrid.

In addition, Ford and Toyota, with modestly redesigned hybrid versions of their SUVs hitting showrooms, may help breathe some life into the flagging category as fuel-efficient eco-friendly hybrids. GM recently revealed the hybrid models of their Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon to be released later this year. With their improved fuel economy, these traditionally gas-guzzling SUVs could once again appeal to online shoppers who are keen on fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford, Saturn and Toyota will also look to gain the attention of the online car-buying community with their redesigned hybrid versions of their SUVs.

And with the impressive slate of better-designed, more cutting-edge and fuel-efficient vehicles coming from the Big Three in '08, the overwhelming dominance of import brands in Autobytel's 2007 Consumer Choice report, may see a domestic shakeup in 2008. With new sedans, ranging from the Chevrolet Malibu to the Saturn Aura to more fuel-conscious crossovers like the Chevrolet Traverse and Ford Edge, one would expect more online car shoppers to place Big Three offerings on their final shopping lists this year.