Gas Prices not Impacting Auto Sales
Published April 7th, 2012
On Friday gas prices here in the Gainesville area hit $4 a gallon.
That's seven cents higher than the national average and among one of the highest in the state.
These climbing gas prices aren't having the impact you might think on truck sales.
One truck owner we spoke to admits that gas prices are putting a pinch on his wallet, but there is no reason why he wouldn't buy another truck if he had the chance.
"The other day it was almost empty and it was $62.00," said Lamar Brooks.
Lamar Brooks has owned his Ford pick up truck for 10 years.
He recently moved to Tennessee where he said he doesn't feel as much pain at the pump as he does here in Gainesville.
"It's about 20 cents cheaper in Tennessee, so being down here in Florida, I am not happy about it," said Brooks.
Gainesville has one of the highest gas prices in the state of Florida. Even though Brooks doesn't like the price increase, he said that wouldn't stop him from buying a truck.
Santa Fe Ford's general manager Greg Waitcus told us he notices a difference this year than in past years.
"This time when the gasoline became close to $4.00, versus last time it became close to $4.00, we are not quite seeing the amount of demand as we did last time where a lot of people were trading in their full size trucks for small cars," said Waitcus.
He says he thinks one reason this particular dealership hasn't suffered a major decrease in truck sales is because of their location.
"There is more demand for trucks because where we live. Mainly because we still have a large farming community out in this part of the county and surrounding counties. We do a lot of business with farmers,"said Waitcus.
He said most people who go to the dealer to buy a truck usually use it for their job.
Thomas Staten said the prices are definitely taking a toll since he uses diesel to fill up his work truck.
"It's putting a pinch on everything else, because it cost so much to fill up. It's taking away from the other things we do," said Staten.
One thing most people still need to do is fill up that tank even if your driving truck.
"I got to get around so got to put gas in it," said Brooks.
Experts say you can expect prices to keep climbing as we head into summer.
By: Yaremi Farinas
