FUEL PRICES STILL INFLUENCE AUTO BUYING.

Consumers say fuel prices continue to influence their choice of vehicle, though not quite as much as last month when costs were higher, according to a survey by consultants AutoPacific Inc. in Tustin, Calif. About 25% of those currently driving V-8-powered vehicles say they’ll shift to smaller powerplants—the same proportion as in September. The number of SUV drivers who claim they are ready to switch to another type of vehicle declined to 22% from 27% a month ago. A steady 15% of those surveyed say they’ll consider a gasoline-electric hybrid. Although consumers say they paid 7 cents less per gallon for fuel in October than in September, they expect fuel prices to be 5 cents per gallon higher a year from now.