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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