Average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in December dropped 2.2% to 22.2 mpg
06 January 2012
The average fuel economy of new vehicles sold in the US in December 2011 was 22.2 MPG—a 2.2% drop of 0.5 mpg from November 2011, according to the monthly assessment by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).
The UMTRI Eco-Driving Index (EDI)—an index that estimates the average monthly emissions generated by an individual US driver—stood at 0.85 in October 2011 (a decrease of 15% from October 2007). The EDI takes into account both vehicle fuel economy and distance driven (the latter relying on data that are published with a two-month lag).
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| Average sales-weighted mpg. Source: UMTRI. Click to enlarge. |
Do fuel consumption and economic recovery go up simultaneously?
In other words, as Americans have more $$$ they drive larger gas guzzlers?
Posted by: HarveyD | 06 January 2012 at 09:10 AM
A pathetic curve, esp. with hybrid cost premiums at less than many V6/V8 options.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_Average_Fuel_Economy
How are these 35+ mpg/2012 CAFE mandates going to happen?
Posted by: kelly | 06 January 2012 at 11:00 AM
Yes Kelly...with mpg down to 22, reaching CAF's 36 mpg will be a major challenge. Watch how the car industry will put added pressure on politicians to reduce CAFE to 26 mpg or so, or extend the application time frame by another 20+ years.
Posted by: HarveyD | 06 January 2012 at 12:08 PM
People make a big decision with a car purchase. They are going to be living with that decision for years. Do they want an econobox that is cramped, noisy and uncomfortable, or do they want something that they will be satisfied with for years. Others would tell you that you SHOULD do this and that, but they don't.
Posted by: SJC | 07 January 2012 at 09:39 AM
Ford Fusion, Camry and Sonata 2012 Hybrids are not identified as econoboxes, nor as cramped, noisy or uncomfortable vehicles. They are affordable, do 4 to 5 mpg better than 2017 CAFE and will give excellent service, as family cars, for up to 15 years.
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 January 2012 at 11:54 AM
SJC:
I suspect you don't get the irony of your words.
"They are going to be living with that decision for years".
*CLEARLY* you vastly underestimate the risks to the economy imposed by the moronic choices made en-masse by American consumers in insisting on driving huge, heavy low gas mileage vehicles. But Americans will learn the hard way as they always do. My guess is around the end of march to the end of august is when they will learn.
Posted by: Dan Browne | 10 January 2012 at 07:13 AM
I understand perfectly and they will continue to buy what they want, that is what YOU don't understand.
Posted by: SJC | 10 January 2012 at 08:05 AM
.....they (Americans) will continue to buy what they WANT..... I'm not sure that this will apply to the majority unless they are allowed to go much deeper in debt. The days of buying whatever we want, regardless of the price or our capability to pay for it, may be over sooner than many think. The debt bubble will burst in many places unless credit is tighten up and the country and its people better manage their finance. Growth cannot continue to be driven 100% by going deeper in debt.
On the other hand, American's good old common sense, may come back before it is too late.
Posted by: HarveyD | 10 January 2012 at 07:01 PM