Sep. 25--Fuel efficiency no doubt weighs on the minds of Oklahomans shopping for a new vehicle.

But sales of pickups and sport utility vehicles haven't slowed much in Oklahoma, despite the prices motorists have been paying at the gasoline pump this year, according to some local dealers and national analysts.

"If you need a big pickup, you need a big pickup. There's a lot of functionality in that," said auto analyst George Magliano, director of Global Insight's North American division.

Chad Baker, general manager at Marc Heitz Chevrolet in Norman, said the dealership is running low on its stock of SUVs and trucks because they've been selling so well.

"We ordered less than we normally would because of gas prices, but our business isn't down in that segment," he said. "We could stand to have some extra."

New "green" models Is it possible to get the best of both worlds? Many vehicle manufacturers are rolling out 2009 models of pickups, SUVs and CUVs (crossover utility vehicles) featuring more fuel efficient engines. Cleaner-burning diesel engines and hybrids are also making a strong presence as car companies try to shore up their "green" image.

"Manufacturers want to make sure the consumers know they are doing something," Magliano said.

Fuel efficiency is often the first feature new car buyers ask about when shopping for a new vehicle, said Benny Dick, dealer at Frontier Chevrolet in El Reno. They're trying to find the right fit: a vehicle that can haul their family but also gets what they consider good gasoline mileage.

"People don't know what's going to happen to the price of gas. That scares them," Dick said. "They know they can afford the gas today, but don't know if they can in the future."

Electrifying the market Several car companies have announced they're developing electric vehicles (EVs) that use little or no gasoline at all.

Chrysler on Tuesday unveiled prototypes of three EVs which the company hopes to have ready for sale in North America by 2010.

The minivan and Jeep feature an electric and gasoline engine, similar to the Chevy Volt under development by General Motors. But the Dodge EV sports car features an all-electric, zero emission engine with a range of 150 to 200 miles.

Chrysler jumping into the "green" vehicle market is definitely a sign of things to come, Magliano said. "If anyone is known for big engines, it's Chrysler," he said.

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