Do high gas prices change how Americans buy cars?

Gasoline prices in the United States have risen to over $4 per gallon since the Iran war began in February. When combined with higher car prices, higher interest rates and rising auto loan delinquencies – not to mention other affordability concerns consumers face – might consumers change their car buying preferences?​ In this episode of The Flip Side , Brad Rogoff, Global Head of Research, and Dan Levy, US Autos and Mobility Equity Research Analyst, debate whether higher fuel costs are the straw that breaks the camel's back, or if strong vehicle preferences and a more concentrated set of affluent buyers are enough to hold current dynamics. ​ They also discuss whether fuel costs could be a catalyst for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and if technology improvements could make autonomous ride hailing a credible alternative to car ownership in the future. ​ Listeners can learn more about this topic:​ Flip Side ep.79: Will the US consumer hold up in 2026? ​ Barclays Brief ep.12: Robotaxis: The future of mobility ​ Clients of Barclays Investment Bank can read our latest reports by logging in to Barclays Live:​ Gauging the impact on autos from higher oil prices - questions on mix, inflation ​ EV Report Card: A closer look at the Chinese EV mix shift

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Do high gas prices change how Americans buy cars? is an episode from The Flip Side by Barclays Investment Bank.

This episode is 16:42 long.

This episode was published on May 1, 2026.

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