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Springfield, Ohio — So much for the environment. With gas prices remaining at record highs, more people are opting for hybrid cars or other fuel-efficient autos to save money instead of Mother Earth.

A Toyota Prius or a Honda Civic hybrid can get up to 48 miles per gallon, presenting the opportunity for substantial savings a the gas pump.

Many non-hybrid models available from both manufacturers offer better than 30 miles to the gallon.

"There is now a national waiting list for Toyota hybrids," said Sunny Dhingra, Toyota sales consultant at Jeff Wyler, who has no hybrids in his inventory right now.

Steve Sidlo, Springfield News-Sun Editor and Publisher, recently replaced his 2001 Acura TL with a Toyota Camry, making the choice for environmental and economic reasons.

"I drove both models of the Camry and ended up getting the hybrid. It's got plenty of punch and has more room than my Acura," he said.

In the short time Sidlo has driven his hybrid, he has realized a $25 to $30 weekly gas savings when he needs to drive to Dayton a few times a week.

Locally, dealers are seeing strong sales of fuel efficient models overall, not just hybrids.

"People are opting for a regular Civic or a Honda Fit because they are affordable and get great mileage," said Bala Chetty, sales manager at Bill Marine Honda.

Even though hybrid car sales remain strong, they still represent a small number of the total cars sold every year in the U.S.

Ward's Automotive Group reported in 2007 there were 352,735 hybrid cars sold nationwide, which represents 2.2 percent of the total U.S. market.

"The U.S. is still a truck-dominated culture," said Bailey Wood, National Automobile Dealers Association spokesperson.

In Ohio, Wood added, 53 percent of all registered vehicles in 2007 were cars and 47 percent were light rucks.

Of that 47 percent, 55 percent were SUVs, 26 percent were pick up trucks, 15 percent were mini-vans and 3 percent were vans.

From a dealer perspective, Wood said, the ultimate decision regarding fuel economy is made by the consumer.

People will continue to buy vehicles to meet their needs. Someone needing room for seven passengers will not consider a Toyota Prius, Wood said.

And there are still diehards out there. Many people are still slow to give up their SUVs unless they absolutely have to, according to Chetty.

"It really comes down to people's pocketbooks," he said, "and their economic conscience."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.

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By the numbers

84,401 US hybrid car sales year-to-date

38,214 US hybrid car sales for March 2008

10 percent The increase over the 2007 figure

3,822 Number of hybrids Honda sold in March 2008

31,552 Number of hybrids Toyota Motor Sales (Toyota and Lexus) sold in March 2008

Biggest losers and gainers from April 2007 to April 2008

Ford F-Series

44,813 units, down 27 percent

Dodge Ram

24,206 units sold, down 29.1 percent

Chevrolet Silverado

37,231 units, down 30.5 percent

Toyota Prius

21,757 units sold, up 53.8 percent

Chevrolet Malibu

16,879 units sold, up 43.3 percent

Ford Focus

23,850 units sold, up 32.4 percent

Nissan Altima

22,630 units sold, up 28.1 percent

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