Fuel Economy Index Down as Light-Truck Demand Rises

The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index shows U.S. light-vehicle sales averaged 25.5 mpg (9.2 L/100 km) in July, a 0.1% decline from year-ago.

Cars scored 30.3 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) on the index, down 0.7% from year-ago. This vehicle type accounted for 37.2% of the indexed fleet, a record low for any month.

Domestic cars averaged 30.1 mpg (7.8 L/100 km), down 0.6%. Imported models dropped 0.9% from prior-year to 31.0 mpg (7.6 L/100 km).

Light trucks hit a best-ever index score 22.7 mpg (10.4 L/100 km), an increase of 2.5% from same-month 2016. Hybrids accounted for 1.3% of the vehicle type, their highest point of any month.

Domestically built light trucks scored 22.0 mpg (10.7 L/100 km), up 2.7%. Imports gained 1.5% to 22.0 mpg (10.7 L/100 km).

CUVs reached a best-ever share of 37.5% and a segment high of 25.1 mpg (9.4 L/100 km). Vans were the only light-truck category to see lower share compared with year-ago, but also achieved a record index score at 22.0 mpg (10.7 L/100 km).

The national average gasoline price was $2.414 per gallon in July, 2.9% higher than same-month 2016. The figure was down 1.9% below June, resulting in a third consecutive month-to-month decline.

The market share of diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles grew slightly from year ago, but each less than 0.1%.

Honda was the only automaker to reach a new high point, hitting 29.0 mpg (8.1 L/100 km), boosted by a small bump in the sales of hybrid models and small cars.

BMW showed an 8.8% dive from July 2016 to a 27.6 mpg (8.5 L/100 km) index rating. The company suffered from a drop in electrified-vehicle sales.

By contrast, Kia sold more electrified vehicles, allowing for a 5.7% jump in its index rating (27.1 mpg [8.7 L/100 km]).

During the first seven months of the year, the industry rating averaged 25.4 mpg (9.2 L/100 km), 0.1% better than same-period 2016.

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