Study: New-Vehicle Shoppers Link Biofuel Demand With Increased Food Prices
04 June 2008
According to the latest Kelley Blue Book marketing research study, 61% of new-vehicle shoppers believe that increased biofuel demand has tightened supplies of farmland and water worldwide, thereby pushing food prices up.
In addition, the May 2008 study results reveal that 58% of new-car shoppers do not think that national and state governments should subsidize farmers who produce crops aiding in the production of biofuel, such as the production of corn for ethanol-based E-85.
Forty-six percent of shoppers believe that biofuel production should be reduced to ease high prices of crops that have diminished due to the government subsidizing of corn for ethanol production, such as flour, wheat and grains. Furthermore, only 8% of shoppers say that biofuel will most likely become a mainstream fuel source.
Biofuels and the government policies surrounding them have become a source of considerable controversy with detractors claiming they increase the price of food while doing little to stem our reliance on foreign sources of oil. Despite the fact that there are many more biofuel-capable cars on the road than there are hybrids, Americans seem skeptical that biofuel technologies will become mainstream.
—Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com
Exactly half (50%) of new-vehicle shoppers say that biofuels will make the United States less dependant on foreign oil, and 48% agree that biofuels are better for the environment because they reduce emissions and are a biodegradable, renewable resource. Forty-five percent of shoppers believe that biofuels are better for our health, as they reduce air toxins and cancer-causing emissions, resulting in cleaner air.
The latest kbb.com Marketing Research study was conducted on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com among 1,068 in-market new-vehicle shoppers during May 2008.
Sheeple...
Posted by: Joe | 04 June 2008 at 11:53 AM
The mainstream sensationalist media and their oil and gas supporters have done a good job, nobody reads past the headlines or does any real research anyway so the status quo is safe.
Posted by: Mark M | 04 June 2008 at 01:31 PM
Biofuel has it's place, though it will never exceed 10% of our total energy needs. I vote solar.
www.ecounit.com
Posted by: Kent Ragen | 04 June 2008 at 05:24 PM
Approximately 50% of Americans have a two-digit IQ. New vehicle shoppers might be a little higher, though.
Posted by: | 04 June 2008 at 10:26 PM
Second hand poll data from - second hand pricing guide.
Posted by: | 06 June 2008 at 07:16 AM