U.S. Fuel Economy Up in October

Electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and diesels showed small upticks in share.

Erin Sunde, Industry Analyst

November 4, 2016

1 Min Read
U.S. Fuel Economy Up in October

The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index indicates the average fuel economy of light vehicles sold in the U.S. in October was 25.1 mpg (9.4 L/100 km), up 0.5% from same-month 2015.

The national average gasoline price was $2.359, 1.4% more than in September but 1.2% below year-ago.

The share of standard gasoline-powered vehicles declined to 94.4% from 95.2% in like-2015 as diesels, electrics, and plug-in hybrids showed small upticks. Index-tracked diesel sales hit a 2.8% penetration rate, a record high for any month.

Cars sold in the month averaged 30.1 mpg (7.8 L/100 km), up 1.6% from year-ago. Domestically built cars improved 2.4%, while imports rated 0.5% below year-ago.

Light trucks scored 22.1 mpg (10.6 L/100 km) on the index, a 2.6% gain on prior-year. Pickups reached a best-ever 19.1 mpg (12.3 L/100 km).

The only two vehicle segments to rate below same-month 2015, large cars (-1.1%) and vans (-0.1%), were also the lowest-selling segments.

Mazda averaged 30.2 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) in October, making it the only automaker (excluding Tesla) to surpass 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) for 12 consecutive months.

Jaguar Land Rover was the only company to see a new high, growing slightly from September to 20.9 mpg (11.3 L/100 km). Increased diesel sales, along with a small shift from SUVs to CUVs, aided the lowest-rated automaker on the index.

BMW had the worst year-over-year results, falling 4.6% as sales of its i3 electric vehicle faltered. Volvo remained the most improved automaker, jumping 7.3% above year-ago, primarily helped by sales of the XC90 plug-in hybrid.

Over the first 10 months of the year, the average index rating sat at 25.4 mpg (9.3 L/100 km), up 0.5% from same-period 2015.

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2016

About the Author

Erin Sunde

Industry Analyst, WardsAuto

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