U.S. Fuel Economy Unchanged in August
Low gas prices pulled car shoppers away from hybrids and small cars.
The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index rating for U.S. light-vehicle sales reached 25.3 mpg (9.3 L/100 km) in August, up just 0.2% from same-month 2014 and equal to July’s result.
The average gas price in August was $2.726, 5.3% less than July and 23.5% below same-month 2014. The share of traditional gasoline-powered vehicles on the index rose to 94.9% from 94.1% in August 2014 at the expense of hybrid and plug-ins, which combined lost 0.8% share and accounted for only 2.6% of tracked sales.
Diesel fuel prices, averaging $2.595, dropped more steeply, 6.9% from prior-month and 32.4% from year-ago. However, the lower cost didn’t shift buyers like it did for gasoline. Diesel share, 2.0%, was nearly flat from same-month 2014.
Cars scored 29.4 mpg (8.0 L/100 km) in August, slightly below year-ago. All car segments lost market share from same-month 2014, but smaller variants took the greatest hit.
Light trucks improved 4.0% to 21.9 mpg (10.7 L/100 km), but an increase in share (+4.7 points to 56.7%) of this lower-rated vehicle type weighted down the whole market average.
CUVs hit a record 24.0 mpg (9.8 L/100 km) and all-time high market share of 31.1% for indexed light-vehicle sales. Share of smaller models grew the most, likely from potential car shoppers moving to the larger segment as steadily low gas prices made the choice more affordable.
Pickups also increased in sales, up to 13.4% share, and were the most improved segment from last year, up 10.0% to 18.6 mpg (12.7 L/100 km).
Interest in CUVs boosted Jaguar Land Rover’s average fuel economy 5.3% above last year to 20.1 mpg (11.7 L/100 km) in August, passing the 20-mpg (11.8-L/100 km) benchmark for the first time. Share of CUVs nearly doubled from 18.5% last year to 36.3%, while SUVs lost 14.8% share.
Volkswagen saw the most improvement for the month, up 6.4% from year-ago at 30.1 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) due to sales of the e-Golf electric car.
Nissan continued to experience decreasing sales of electric powertrains and small and midsize cars, leading to a 3.6% fuel-economy drop in August.
Year-to-date, the index rating sat at 25.4 mpg (9.3 L/100 km), 1.1% above the same period in 2014.
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