October Fuel Economy Increases Despite Falling Fuel Prices

The average fuel economy of new light vehicles sold in the U.S. in October hit 24.9 mpg (9.5 L/100 km) according the WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index, a 2.5% improvement from year-ago and 18.9% better than the index base score set in fourth-quarter 2007.

National gasoline prices fell for the fourth consecutive month. Consistent drops in fuel prices normally correspond with an increase in sales of heavier vehicles, but while consumers did buy more light trucks, they chose the more fuel-efficient options in that category.

Light trucks posted a record 20.6 mpg (11.4 L/100 km) in October, a 2.6% gain from last year and up 15.6% from the 2007 base score.

CUVs, which account for nearly 50% of light-truck sales, earned a new high score of 22.9 mpg (10.3 L/100 km). The second most popular light-truck segment, pickups, also reached a new record at 17.2 mpg (13.7 L/100 km).

Cars averaged 29.3 mpg (8.0 L/100 km), down slightly from their peak in August. Even though small, midsize and large cars reached all-time highs, the average was held down by less fuel-efficient luxury cars.

Small cars, the most fuel-efficient segment group, averaged 30.7 mpg (7.7 L/100 km) in October, resulting in a 2.6% gain from like-2012. Market share of small cars has fallen over the last three months, allowing the less-efficient segments to pull the overall score down.

Midsize cars reached 30.4 mpg (7.7 L/100 km), resulting in the narrowest gap between this segment group and small cars in the history of the WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index.

Luxury car share grew for the fifth month, pulling the car rating down with an average 25.8 mpg (9.1 L/100 km) score.

Subaru, Daimler and Jaguar Land Rover posted record highs overall and for each vehicle type.

Ratings for Honda, Nissan and Mazda also reached new high scores, boosted by record car scores.

BMW achieved an all-time high by a record index for light trucks.

Ford earned record scores for cars and light trucks individually, but the automaker’s average didn’t surpass its previous high due to a higher share of light trucks.

Mazda pulled ahead of Volkswagen as the top automaker (excluding electric-only Tesla). The Mazda3 and Mazda6, two of its top three models, have significant fuel-economy gains for the new model year.

Domestic cars (29.2 mpg [8.0 L/100 km]) and light trucks (20 mpg [11.8 L/100 km]) each reached a record high. However, the average for all domestic vehicles was slightly below its highest level due to a larger market share of trucks.

Through the first 10 months of this year, the WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index stood at 24.9 mpg (9.5 L/100 km), a 3.5% gain from the same period of 2012.

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