High fuel costs are not dampening demand for high-powered vehicles in the US, according to a US industry research firm.

Figures produced by JD Power and Associates suggest that vehicles with large engines are still proving as popular with consumers as they had been last year.

The proportion of consumers choosing vehicles with eight, six or four-cylinder engines remained in line with those recorded last summer.

"Gas prices are certainly becoming a popular dinner and water cooler discussion topic, but consumers appear to be conditioned to prices at current levels," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting at JD Power automotive forecasting.

"We do not expect a significant change in the kinds of vehicles consumers purchase as a result. It is, and will be, all about choice for consumers. There are several smaller vehicle options coming, as well as fresh products in the full-size SUV segment."

Nearly a quarter of US car buyers have gone for a new car or truck running on a high-powered eight cylinder engine, in line with the figure recorded last year.

Six-cylinder models continued to be the industry leader, attracting 40 per cent of industry sales over the past nine months.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd