Fuel Economy Rating on New Vehicle Sales Hobbled by SUVs, Light Trucks

The figures are based on the average sales-weighted fuel economy rating printed on a new car’s window sticker and is compiled by Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle of the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute.

The sales-weighted unadjusted Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) performance rating averaged 31.0 miles per gallon in October, up 6.3 mpg since October 2007. These values are not directly comparable to the window-sticker ratings because they are adjusted by the EPA and used to derive the window-sticker ratings.

Strong sales of SUVs and light trucks as gasoline prices fall continue to hobble gains in fuel efficiency. When gasoline prices decline, U.S. sales of less fuel-efficient vehicles generally rise. Whether it is pent-up demand or wishful thinking depends on whether you’re an automaker or an auto buyer.

According to Kelley Blue Book, sales of full-size SUVs and crossovers are up nearly 6.1% year-over-year for the first 10 months of the year, and they rose 4.8% in October compared with October 2013. Sales of full-size pickups were up 5.6% in the first 10 months of the year and up 14% compared with last October. Mid-size SUV and crossover sales rose fastest of all SUVs and light trucks: 12.1% for the year to date and 11.1% over last October.

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