Hybrid Car Review

With gas prices going over $4 a gallon on average in the US, truck and SUV sales have begun to suffer. Hybrid cars and other fuel efficient vehicle interest has begun to climb. But which small car to look at? That's where brand awareness comes through for cars like the MINI.

The MINI shows up on the list of most fuel efficient cars of 2008, but you don't need me to tell you that. You already know it just by looking at it. You also know it's a MINI just by looking at it.

That sort of common awareness leads to increased interest in the MINI when you start looking for a smaller car. The MINI site (MINIUSA.com) has seen a huge surge in visitors, up 88.9% for the month of May.

Over the past six years, sales of the MINI have nearly doubled. More recently, sales were up 36% in the month of May.

"MINI has always been proud of its incredible fuel efficiency -- we get 37 miles to the gallon, which is as good as most hybrids -- and it has certainly been one of the reasons people choose to drive our cars," said Jim McDowell, Vice President of MINI USA. "What we're finding is that literally hundreds of thousands of people who haven't thought about a MINI before are checking us out. We're thrilled to have them -- and hope they join those of us who discovered a long time ago that you can have a hip, cool car that's fun to drive -- and still save at the pump. The world is becoming more MINI every day."