MIAMI -

In light of the supply dearth, several Japanese models are seeing significant gains in the number of consumers looking to buyout existing leases on the vehicles, according to LeaseTrader.com. The shoppers see this as an alternative method of car buying, the site indicated.

What’s more, with high used values on these units, some customers will buyout the lease then sell the car, officials noted.

“A consumer currently leasing a one- to three-year-old subcompact, compact or hybrid car is probably in the best position to beat their current lease and come out ahead,” said Alec Gutierrez, manager of vehicle valuation with Kelley Blue Book. “However, with gas prices on the decline, values for these vehicles have started to slip, so now may be the time to act.”

Delving into the analysis from LeaseTrader.com in more detail, not only has the Japanese disaster’s impact on production curbed supply for smaller Japanese vehicles, demand for these units has been accelerated because of high fuel costs.

As such, the site has seen buyout intent for Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Infiniti and Lexus jump considerably in recent months.

In fact, buyout intent is up 13.6 percent from January for the Toyota Prius, according to data from LeaseTrader and KBB.

Similarly, the Toyota Camry’s buyout intent is up 13.2 percent, with the Honda Accord climbing 12.1 percent. Additionally, buyout intent has jumped 11.2 percent for the Nissan Sentra and 9.6 percent for the Lexus IS.

“Car shoppers who take over someone’s remaining lease on the LeaseTrader.com marketplace have the same lease options available even after transfer, including the ability to buy out the lease contract at the end of terms,” stated LeaseTrader founder and chief executive officer Sergio Stiberman.