The automotive industry drove economic growth in the United States due to the impact automobiles had on society. There has been a myriad of jobs associated with the automotive industry, including manufacturing, auto repair, insurance and road development, sales, and auto parts to improve vehicles. Cars, trucks and SUVs have become a way of life for people and have had a further economic impact by becoming the primary mode of transportation for consumers to get to and from work, vacations and travel between destinations. Most families live on a limited budget and need to decide how much of their budget they can allocate to transportation costs. The automotive industry is considered elastic as prices fluctuate depending on supply and demand. This product, the automobile, has become a necessity of today's life, while in the beginning owning a vehicle was a luxury. At that time, because there were other means of transportation, the demand for cars was low, making the price of cars elastic. As the automotive industry has grown over the years, the demand has become higher and higher, especially as different makes and models of vehicles have come along. While the demand for vehicles increased, the price remained stable for a certain period making the demand inelastic as there were no large changes in the price. Nowadays consumers can choose from a wide range of vehicle brands with as many models that although the car itself has become a necessity, some cars could be considered a luxury. For example, you may need to own a vehicle, but it doesn't necessarily have a sunroof, navigation system, and DVD player. Another factor that directly influences the supply and demand for cars is the price of oil which inflates the cost of fuel, so less of the population buys cars. This directly affects the production of the number of vehicles produced. Therefore, the price of cars increases because demand is low, making the price elasticity of demand elastic. Consumers are purchasing more fuel-efficient foreign cars that are an alternative substitute, allowing consumers to still have the new car they want at a lower cost. Some American consumers have difficulty purchasing products imported from abroad, but since having a car is a necessity for most people, many have had to purchase what best suits their personal and financial needs.