NASHVILLE, Tenn. -

While auto shopping activity still moved upward in February, the degree of growth has started to subside, according to Dataium, which said shopping activity may actually fall into a decline, given some of the economic drivers and ongoing world events.

And through the first two weeks of the month, Dataium’s Automotive Shopper Intensity Index for March is down 5.7 percent.

The company explained that the ASI Index had gone on a sharp incline starting in September and lasting several months, but noted that this growth grew weaker in February. The aggregator of online auto shopping activity said it will keep close tabs on the ASI to determine whether February was just a blip on the radar or indicative of things to come for March.

Dataium chief executive officer Eric Brown noted: “February’s ASI was a mixed bag of data with some factors showing gains and others losing ground.

“We will be closely monitoring the index over the next several weeks as the impact of ongoing world events, climbing food and energy prices, and continued unemployment materializes over the coming weeks,” he continued.

Looking at February in more detail, the brands with the most robust ASI readings were Infiniti and Subaru. The biggest upward mover during the month was Infiniti. Showing the largest drop was BMW.

Dataium emphasized that: "Traffic to automotive websites remained strong and above the monthly moving average, as well as lead volume. As stated in last month’s release, February and March indexes are likely bellwethers for the remainder of the year’s performance."

And in light of economic factors like rising fuel and food costs as well as world events that may affect auto shopping activity — such as the turmoil in the Middle East and the disaster in Japan — there may be further impact to the index.

With regards to the disaster in Japan and its aftermath, Dataium indicated that it will offer supplementary ASI reports on Japanese import brands.

“Our hearts and prayers are with our automotive colleagues around the world and particularly in Japan who are suffering both the professional and personal impact of an unprecedented natural disaster,” stated Jason Ezell, the company’s president.

“We pray for the rescue workers, all the families impacted, and for a quick and complete recovery,” he continued.