Average Fuel Economy Down in May

The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index indicates the average fuel economy of light vehicles sold in the U.S. in May was 25.4 mpg (9.2 L/100 km), down 0.3% from same-month 2016.

The national average gasoline price was $2.503, 1.0% less than in April and 5.6% above year-ago. Standard gasoline-powered vehicles accounted for 96.1% of indexed sales, down from 97.0% in like-2016. All alternative powertrains showed small upticks in share.

Cars sold in the month averaged 30.2 mpg (7.8 L/100 km), up 0.4% from prior-year. Domestically built cars (29.9 mpg [7.9 L/100 km]) improved 0.3%, while imports (31.4 mpg [7.5 L/100 km]) rated 1.4% above year-ago.

Light trucks scored 22.4 mpg (10.5 L/100 km) on the index, a 1.4% gain on prior-year. A higher proportion of hybrid and electric vehicles in this section of the market helped the average move up. Domestic light trucks (21.6 mpg [10.9 L/100 km]) improved 1.2%, and the rating for imports (25.0 mpg [9.4 L/100 k]) rose 2.0%.

Luxury cars were the most improved segment from prior-year, jumping 2.8% to 27.7 mpg (8.5 L/100 km). CUVs also showed a big gain, 2.6%, and accounted for 34.7% of indexed LVs.

General Motors set a new high, growing 1.7% from year-ago to 23.6 mpg (10.0 L/100 km), with growing sales of the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

Ford and FCA came in below prior-year, falling 2.0% and 2.5%, respectively, as utility-vehicle sales increased.

Subaru hit a record rating of 27.4 mpg (8.6 L/100 km) in May, up 0.6% from like-2016, due to a sales shift to small cars from its midsize-car and CUV segments.Mazda saw the sharpest downturn, caused by an increase in the sales of CUVs versus cars, falling 5.3% to 28.7 mpg (8.2 L/100 km).

The Kia Niro hybrid helped the automaker see a big year-over-year gain, up 5.9% to 26.8 mpg (8.8 L/100 km).

Year-to-date, the average index rating sat at 25.4 mpg (9.2 L/100 km), up 0.3% from same-period 2016.

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