We already know consumers primarily want the most reliable. If they care more about reliability than fuel efficiency, we'd still expect them to purchase the most reliable cars. So (A) doesn't help explain why some of the most reliable cars don't sell well among these consumers.

This provides a potential resolution to the discrepancy. Maybe consumers just aren't aware that certain car models are among the most reliable. Manufacturers might have improved certain models' reliability over the years. But even if some of these models are now among the most reliable, it takes time for consumers to perceive these models as the most reliable. This could be why some of the most reliable models don't sell well with these consumers.

The discrepancy concerns consumers who are "shopping for automobiles." Why do certain models not sell well among these consumers? We have no reason to think owners of reliable automobiles are among those who are shopping for automobiles. But even if we think these owners are among consumers shopping for automobiles, (C) still wouldn't explain the discrepancy. It might explain why some owners don't buy cars very often, but it doesn't explain why some of the most reliable models aren't popular with people who care about reliability.

This relates to the criteria described in the stimulus for what counts as reliable. The fact the models described in (D) require a lot of maintenance suggests they don't meet the criteria for judging a car as reliable. But this doesn't explain why some of the most reliable cars don't sell well. If a car isn't reliable, then it's just not part of the models that the discrepancy is about.

We have no reason to think the consumers who primarily seek reliability are motivated more by style than reliability. (E) isn't supporting a theory that the consumers who primarily seek reliability might actually be going for the stylish, unreliable cars.