U.S. Auto Fleet Doubles in Size
2 June 1997
U.S. Auto Fleet Doubles in Size
Oldest Cars In History;
New Findings From Polk's Vehicle In Operation Report
DETROIT, June 2 -- Polk announced today that the United
States automobile fleet doubled in size between 1970 and 1996 and the
scrappage rate of vehicles continues its historic decline according to the
newly released Vehicle In Operation (VIO) report.
Freeways More Crowded? Auto Fleet Doubles in Size
The U.S. automobile fleet increased nearly five million units from 1995 to
1996. As of June 30, 1996 (most recent available figures), there were 198.3
million vehicles in operation. The increase in fleet size was fueled mostly
by the continuing popularity of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.
In 1970, the nation's automobile fleet stood at 98.1 million units.
Twenty-six years later, the fleet doubled to its current figure of 198.3
million units. The auto fleets' previous doubling occurred over the 18 year
span from 1952 (48.1 million) to 1970.
Cars on Scrap Heap Continues Historic Decline
The number of vehicles being scrapped remained under 6 percent between
1995 and 1996. This continues the declining trend of the overall scrappage
rate. The 1960s saw a scrappage rate of 8 percent, compared to 7 percent in
the 1970s, 6.5 percent in the 80s, and now a 6 percent rate thus far in the
90s.
(A vehicle that fails to re-register is presumed to be scrapped and is
used to determine the scrappage rate.)
Decade Scrappage Percent
1960s 8%
1970s 7%
1980s 6.5%
1990s 6.0%
For the seventh consecutive year, the median age of an automobile in the
United States has risen. The median age of a car in 1996 was 7.9 years, the
oldest ever in history. The median age of trucks was 7.7, matching its oldest
age set in 1986.
Median Age Cars Trucks
1996 7.9 years 7.7 years
1995 7.7 years 7.6 years
1994 7.5 years 7.5 years
1993 7.3 years 7.5 years
"There's little doubt vehicles are lasting longer," said Bill Sawyer,
Polk's vice president of transportation products. "In fact, our data shows
they have become 6 years older since 1980. This is further evidence that
manufacturers' efforts to increase quality have paid off and automobiles can
certainly be designed to last even longer. The question remains, however, at
what cost?"
Polk's VIO report, the "census" of the United States vehicle fleet, covers
vehicle registrations from the period from July 1, 1995 through June 30, 1996.
Polk produces the VIO report from official state registration records. It
markets the information to vehicle manufacturers, the automotive aftermarket
and the tire, oil, glass and insurance industries. State and federal
government agencies also use the Polk census for studies involving
environmental, energy and safety issues.
Polk provides multi-dimensional intelligence information solutions to
companies as a direct marketing resource; a supplier of demographic and
lifestyle data and database marketing services; a statistician for the motor
vehicle industry; a publisher of city directories; and a data enabler for
geographic information systems. Polk is a privately held global firm with
facilities around the world including the United States, Canada, England,
Germany and Barbados.
For more information, contact Jim Miller, public relations director for
Polk, at 800-525-3533 ex. 5696.
The Polk Company
Median Age of Automobiles and Trucks
In Operation in the US
YEAR AUTOMOBILES TRUCKS
1970 4.9 5.9
1971 5.1 6.1
1972 5.1 6.0
1973 5.1 5.8
1974 5.2 5.6
1975 5.4 5.8
1976 5.5 5.8
1977 5.6 5.7
1978 5.7 5.8
1979 5.9 5.9
1980 6.0 6.3
1981 6.0 6.5
1982 6.2 6.8
1983 6.5 7.2
1984 6.7 7.4
1985 6.9 7.6
1986 7.0 7.7
1987 6.9 7.6
1988 6.8 7.1
1989 6.5 6.7
1990 6.5 6.5
1991 6.7 6.8
1992 7.0 7.2
1993 7.3 7.5
1994 7.5 7.5
1995 7.7 7.6
1996 7.9 7.7
SOURCE Polk
