Seattle dealerships say hybrids are harder to find as rising gas prices fuel demand and competition.
SEATTLE — As gas prices climb above $5 a gallon across Washington, more drivers are rethinking how they get around and what they drive.
For many, that means making the switch to hybrid or electric vehicles. But some local dealers say the surge in demand is making those cars harder to keep in stock.
“As soon as gas prices went up, I was getting crazy calls, phone ringing off the hook,” said Jason, owner of AutoAvia in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood.
Jason has worked in the auto industry for 20 years and said he’s seeing the strongest demand yet for used hybrids. He said just three weeks ago, he had more than a dozen Generation 2 Priuses on his lot. Now, he’s down to just four.
He said restocking is getting tougher by the day.
“At dealer auctions, prices for these cars have almost doubled. So if I’m sourcing them for twice as much, they’re going to have to sell for a lot more as well, which I’m not looking forward to,” he said.
Jason said he typically finds inventory through auctions, repair shops, and word of mouth, but competition is now driving prices higher across the board.
And it’s not just what people are buying, it’s how they’re getting around.
Jason said some customers are selling their less fuel-efficient vehicles and turning to public transit while they wait to buy a hybrid.
“I’ve had multiple customers say that before they bought a car, they sold their gas guzzler. And they’ve been just taking the bus or the train, the light rail,” he said. “When they come to pick up their car, I usually pick them up at the light rail station.”
According to AAA, the national average gas price is about $4.02, while Washington drivers are paying around $5.38.
Jason said even if prices ease, he expects demand for fuel-efficient vehicles to stay strong through the summer. For now, he said the smartest move for many drivers may be maintaining the car they already have.
“If you’re gonna make the switch or you already have an older car, I would say don’t be afraid to do your own research, get second opinions,” he said. “Just fix your stuff. That is the most economical thing you can do right now.”
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