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The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index rating for U.S. light-vehicle sales reached 25.2 mpg (9.3 L/100 km) in February. The 1.3% improvement from same-period 2014 was the smallest year-over-year gain for the month in the 7-year history of the index.
Fuel-economy improvements for the 2015 model year countered consumer demand for typically less-efficient vehicle types.
The market share of cars fell 3.1%, with small and midsize cars, the highest rated segments, showing the greatest declines. Cars sold in the month averaged 29.1 mpg (8.1 L/100 km), up 1.7% from year-ago.
The light-truck score rose 3.0% to 21.7 mpg (10.8 L/100 km). Market share of pickups and SUVs, the lowest-rated segments, grew the most.
All segments recorded index rating gains, but pickups were the most improved, jumping 9.9% to 18.6 mpg (12.6 L/100 km). Midsize cars were up the least, 0.3%.
The national average gasoline price was $2.301 a gallon, up 4.2% from January, resulting in the first month-to-month increase since last June. Even with that uptick, prices were 33% below prior-year. February sales of gasoline-powered vehicles rose as hybrids and plug-in hybrids saw declines from 2014.
Mitsubishi continued a 10-month streak as the top-rated automaker (excluding electric-only Tesla) with a 30.1 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) rating in February. It still is the only automaker to surpass 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) on the index.
Hyundai saw the biggest drop from last year, slipping 2.6% from lower sales of small cars and hybrid models.
Domestically built light vehicles showed a 1.7% rise in fuel economy, averaging 24.6 mpg (9.6 L/100 km) in February. Imported models averaged 27.4 mpg (8.6 L/100 km), resulting in a 0.6% gain, but held back by a drop in the score for imported light trucks.
Year-to-date, the index rating sat at 25.2 mpg (9.3 L/100 km), 1.3% above the same period in 2014.
