TORONTO — Moya Jones wandered the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto Friday morning, sizing up the latest models. She already has a good idea of what she wants.
“I’m actually looking for a big car right now,” she said.
Like a growing number of Canadian consumers, she’s considering a larger vehicle — in part because of fuel prices that hover around 90 cents a litre in the Toronto area.
“Every time I see the ticker go down on gas, of course I’m happy,” she said, smiling.
High performance vehicles, large trucks and bulky SUVs were considered by many a waste of money a few years ago when prices for fuel climbed above $1.40 a litre.
Now, the view has changed.
“Falling gasoline prices would influence me to buy a bigger motor,” said Brendon Fernando sitting inside a Mercedes-Benz SUV on the auto show floor.
Canada’s most influential auto industry analyst says consumers with an interest in a new vehicle shouldn’t be scared away.
“The message used to be, ‘Gee whiz you’re driving a big SUV you should downsize to a more green friendly vehicle,'” said Desrosiers.
“The message should be, ‘You’re driving a big honking SUV? Buy a new one!'”
Some consumers have a longer memory than others about higher fuel prices and worry that a return to higher prices is inevitable at some point.
But Desrosiers says new, larger vehicles are a much better option than they were just a few years ago.
“The average new vehicle launched today is 25 to 50 per cent more fuel efficient than the one it replaced,” he said.
“No exceptions.”