Gasoline Demand Rising Despite High Prices

[Renew Deal]

By BRAD FOSS, AP Business Writer

WASHINGTON - Despite near record-high gasoline prices, U.S. motorists continue to increase consumption and, with supplies tight, that is helping to keep fuel costs propped up.

The Energy Department reported Monday that nationwide retail gasoline prices averaged $1.72 per gallon last week. Meanwhile, the price of oil surged to $37.44 per barrel on futures markets, the highest level in more than a year, in part because of the rising cost of motor fuel.

"Gasoline demand has been pretty spectacular of late," said Tom Kloza, director of Oil Price Information Service, a Lakewood, N.J., publisher of industry data.

The most recent statistics from the Department of Energy (news - web sites) show that gasoline demand has been roughly 3.7 percent higher than last year over the past four weeks. At the same time, nationwide supplies of gasoline are 1.2 percent below year ago levels at 220.4 million barrels, and 5 percent below the 5-year average.
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040315/ap_on_bi_ge/gasoline_consumption_2

[whistle]

1. Of course, there's that BIG SUCKING SOUND...

...as SUV's pull up and fill up all across the country.

[drthais]

2. I dont' think I'd put it that way....

If demand is higher
it is probably because it takes more gas
to fill up those rediculous rolling houses called SUVs!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's probably as simple as that

bet anybody who has one is feeling the pinch right about now

[whistle]

4. Correct, bigger tanks to accommodate the lower MPG...

...of those 6,000 lbs monsters. What is it, 9mpg in the city and 12mpg on the road?

[terryg11]

3. of course demand is up

maybe it's different where you folks live, but around here I can't throw a stick without hitting someone who used their tax refunds from last year or the low interest rates to get themselves a new SUV or huge pickup truck.

[drthais]

5. what is it with the huge cars?

I just don't get it at all
people should be EMBARRASSED to won one
and they think they are safer in them, which they are not

its a power trip I guess
I can't figure out how some people I know
can possibloy afford one just to start with
much less put gas into it

shame on the govt for not talking about conservation
its so sick

[terryg11]

8. for some around here I think it's a farmer thing

since they do a lot of hauling and pulling things around they do need a larger vehicle to do that. On the other hand many of them do just like the larger vehicle because of whtever reasons

[rucky]

6. Also, people live farther from their work

exburbs are where most of the new growth is happening. people are doing hellish commutes to be able to live the "simple life".

[terryg11]

7. same here which is wht I don't get

many of those same people who ponied up for the nice looking SUV have to drive at least twenty miles one way to get to work. Hey, it looks nice though