American drivers are strongly influenced by fuel efficiency when buying a vehicle.

A new survey for Johnson Controls, an automotive parts manufacturer, shows fuel efficiency (57%) is consumers’ biggest concern when they buy a vehicle of any size, followed closely by cost (55%), with safety (54%) lagging in last place.

Joe Walicki, President of Johnson Controls Power Solutions, said: “Whether someone wants to drive a truck, SUV, or car – increased fuel efficiency remains the number one purchase criterion for American car buyers.”

The findings match those of a similar 2011 survey, despite petrol prices having fallen 37%.

The new survey also found 64% of consumers’ decisions are directly impacted by the price of fuel when considering a new vehicle. This is a 14% increase from 2011.

“What we’re seeing in the market place due to low and stable gas prices is a migration to larger vehicles, but the expectation now is that those vehicles come with increased fuel efficiency,” added Walicki.