Fuel-Efficient Car Sales Surge in U.S.

U.S. consumers bought fewer gas-guzzling autos such as Ford Motor Co.’s Explorer sport utility vehicle in the last two months as gasoline prices soared to record highs, spurring demand for more fuel-efficient cars.

Sales of cars and trucks with below-average gas mileage fell 0.4% in April and rose less than 1% in May, according to automakers’ data. Sales of vehicles with above-average mileage rose 1.4% and 5%. Vehicles rated by the U.S. government average 20.8 miles per gallon.

Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., already more profitable than Ford and General Motors Corp., are increasing their share of the market with fuel-efficient models.