Looking for a fuel-efficient car or truck? Here's a source that can help

With gasoline prices move farther and farther beyond $3 a gallon, AutoTrader, the nation’s No. 1 automotive classifieds magazine, is expanding its new Green publication to include Dallas auto dealers and consumers. AutoTrader Green features only vehicles for sale that average more than 30 miles per gallon. Dallas will be one of only eight cities where AutoTrader provides this service.

It's not hard to figure out why AutoTrader is expanding. Soaring gas prices and environmental concerns have generated unprecedented demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. According to AutoTrader, last year the “budget cars” segment –- defined as small, inexpensive models like the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris that achieve extremely good gas mileage -– grew by nearly 48 percent. Hybrids were the next best-selling segment with a 34 percent increase, while the overall auto sales market was flat from the previous year. In other words, people want fuel-efficient cars.

In addition to Dallas, AutoTrader announced it will expand the Green magazine to Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Minneapolis and Charlotte. The magazine began the Green publication last year in Seattle and Portland.

-- Scott Streater