The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index indicates the average fuel economy of light vehicles sold in the U.S. in March was 25.5 mpg (9.2 L/100 km), up 0.3% from same-month 2016.
The national average gasoline price was $2.437, 0.9% higher than in February and 17.7% above year-ago. Standard gasoline-powered vehicles accounted for 96.5% of indexed sales, down from 97.2% in like-2016. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles saw small upticks in share.
Cars sold in the month averaged 30.1 mpg (7.8 L/100 km), up 0.8% from prior-year. Domestically built cars (29.9 mpg [7.9 L/100 km]) improved 0.2%, while imports (30.8 mpg [7.6 L/100 km]) rated 2.6% above year-ago.
Light trucks scored 22.4 mpg (10.5 L/100 km) on the index, a 2.6% gain on prior-year. A higher proportion of CUVs and electrified powertrains in this section of the market helped the average move up. Domestic light trucks (21.7 mpg [10.8 L/100 km]) improved 2.7%, and the rating for imports (24.8 mpg [9.5 L/100 km]) rose 1.1%
CUVs were the improved segment from prior-year, jumping 3.0% to 24.9 mpg (9.4 L/100 km). CUVs accounted for 34.8% of indexed LV sales in March compared with 30.9% in same-month 2016.
Jaguar Land Rover set a new high, growing 6.1% from year-ago to 21.5 mpg (11 L/100 km), as sales of diesel-powered models increased and shoppers chose cars and CUVs over SUV models.
Audi hit a record rating of 24.3 mpg (9.7 L/100 km) in March, up 1.7% from like-2016, with an increase in plug-in hybrid sales.
Mitsubishi saw sharpest downturn, caused by a strong shift from cars to CUVs, falling 5.2% to 30.1 mpg (7.8 L/100 km). However, the automaker remained the top-rated on the index, excluding electric-only Tesla.
The Kia Niro hybrid helped its manufacturer see the biggest year-over-year gain, up 6.5% to 27.3 mpg (8.6 L/100 km).
Of the Detroit Three, only General Motors scored higher than last year, up 3.2%. Ford and FCA were down 1.4% and 1.1%, respectively.
In the first quarter of 2017, the average index rating sat at 25.5 mpg (9.2 L/100 km), up 0.8% from same-period 2016. Although small, this is a greater rate of growth than seen in Q1 2016 vs Q1 2015.
