Small Car Sales Rise Amid Soaring Gas Prices

Sales of compact and subcompact cars have risen dramatically, according to monthly sales data released yesterday, which industry analysts attribute to the climbing national average price for fuel, now well past the $3.50 per gallon mark. Models rated at more than 30 miles per gallon saw increases of up to 50 percent, in some instances more, from April 2007. Meanwhile, sales of SUVs and full-size pickup trucks are down since last year, 25 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

Seven in 10 Americans say they worry "a lot" about the rise in the cost of gas and fuel, according to the latest edition of our Confidence in U.S. Foreign Policy Index, outpacing any other concern by a wide margin. Even more notable, that's a 16-point jump from six months ago, as the public has in recent months been making a stronger connection between energy independence and national security. In fact, 89 percent say becoming less dependent on other countries for our supply of energy would enhance our security, with six in 10 saying it would help "a great deal"--now the public's number one security strategy.