SYRACUSE -- Nationwide sales of smaller, more fuel efficient cars increased 13% last month.

John Hansen, Sales Manager at Lamacchia Honda, says almost everyone coming into the dealership to buy a new car is there for the same reason.

"It's the gas prices. People are getting tired of putting their money in their gas tank. I hate doing it myself. If you can get a car where you are getting 500 miles to a gallon why wouldn't you?" he says.

Honda isn't the only automaker seeing an increase in the demand for small fuel efficient cars. Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and Chrysler all saw an increase in sales of small cars last month.

Hansen says thanks to new technology, today's small cars are more fuel efficient than ever before.

"Absolutely, compared to two years ago, the Civic is probably getting five miles better per gallon than a 2009 or 2010. That's not just with Honda, that is with all models," Hansen says.

With gas prices expected to continue to rise, car dealers have no doubts that small fuel efficient cars will be a hot item this summer.