Drivers Sticking With Trucks

May 29--At 6 feet 4 inches and 300 pounds, George Thacker needs his Dodge Ram.

"I'm a big boy," he said.

He said he would like to use less gas and help the environment, but his Ram fits his frame and his work needs.

In Tennessee, avid truck owners like Mr. Thacker abound: There was a commercial or private-use truck registered for every 2.8 people in Tennessee in 2005, according to U.S. Department of Transportation and Census figures. In Georgia, that was one truck registered for every 2.3 people.

Sport utility vehicle registrations in Tennessee grew about 150 percent from 1997 to 2002, U.S. Census data show. During the same time, they increased about 115 percent in Georgia.

But rising fuel prices may be coming between some drivers and their gas-guzzlers. An area dealer said there are more truck and SUV trade-ins.

"As the gas prices have now crossed the $3 barrier in some areas, we are beginning to look at more trucks and SUVs again much like we did in each of the last two years when prices began to spike," said Eddie Triplett, general manager at Economy Honda Superstore.

Ken Hunt, owner of Hunt Nissan, said the trend has moved toward fuel-efficiency.

"Certainly people are concerned about it. Fuel economy is definitely on people's minds," he said.

Nationally, the midsize Toyota Prius gas-electric sedan in March posted its best-ever monthly sales for the second consecutive month. Dealers sold nearly 20,000, according to toyota.com.

Meanwhile, an Associated Press-Ipsos poll of 1,000 adults this month found nearly half said rising gas prices will cause "serious hardship" for their families. About as many said they had given serious thought to buying a fuel-efficient car, up about 8 percent from a year ago.

Happy with a hybrid

Hixson resident Anne Spratt said she and her family love their hybrid, which they bought about three years ago.

"We do what we can to be aware of environmental issues," Mrs. Spratt said.

Analysts and economists wonder if traditional truck lovers could flock to hybrids such as the Prius if gas prices rise more. Some said the only thing that would make them is rising gas prices.

"We say ... 'What are the messages that would get you to change your behaviors?' said Suzanne Shelton, founder and president of Shelton Group, a Knoxville-based national energy marketing firm.

"It's definitely a price issue," Ms. Shelton said.

Mrs. Spratt said American consumers are "guided by our pocketbooks."

"Right now, I don't think the gas is high enough to make us feel the pinch," she said.

Energy Information Administration figures released Wednesday show gas prices were up for the fourth consecutive week. The average price had increased 11.5 cents to about $3.20 per gallon May 21. Prices are more than 30 cents higher than this time last year.

Paul Taylor, chief economist at the National Automobile Dealers Association, said pump prices probably would not reach $4 or $5 per gallon this go-round.

"The high gas prices aren't related to the availability of crude oil, but rather the lack of refining capacity," Mr. Taylor said. "Assuming we have no major additional refining interruption, we should see a recovery."

No matter the price, the gas mileage for a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup with four-wheel drive is about 17 per gallon on the highway, while a 2006 Prius will average 46, according to fueleconomy.gov.

So unless gas prices skyrocket, Mr. Thacker won't consider a hybrid truck -- and probably not even then, he said.

"No one loves gas prices," he said. "I just wish (hybrids) didn't compromise on room size."

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