Experian Automotive has announced new analysis that has shown the number of light trucks on the road in the U.S. is more than that of passenger cars. This shift in vehicles on the road could mean strong opportunities for those aftermarket businesses that understand how these trends impact their specific markets.
Light trucks edged by passenger cars 50.04 percent to 49.96 percent, according to an analysis by Experian Automotive of its AutoCount Vehicles in Operation information as of June 30, 2009.
“Despite popular notions that Americans are more fuel-conscious today and, in turn, are driving more cars, the fact is that the U.S. has more light trucks on the road than ever,” says Marty Miller, senior product marketing manager for Experian Automotive’s AutoCount Vehicles in Operation. “Having up-to-date knowledge of these market shifts will give aftermarket retailers and manufacturers an edge in better planning for production and inventory.”
Experian Automotive’s analysis revealed additional trends that showed distinct differences in vehicle concentrations by region. Some of these findings included:
Light truck percentage of vehicles on the road is highest in the South (51.9 percent) and lowest in the Northeast (45 percent).
The median age for all light-duty vehicles on the road is 9.4 years in the United States, but the fleet in the Northeast has a median age of 8.7 years, while in the Midwest it is 9.8 years.
The South led the nation in market share for both four-cylinder vehicles (36.9 percent) and eight-cylinder vehicles (43 percent).
An estimated 83.3 percent of all light-duty vehicles on the road are no longer covered by basic OEM warranties.
Experian’s AutoCount Vehicles in Operation provides timely visibility to what cars and trucks are on the road in a local market, helping aftermarket retailers better serve their customers by stocking the right parts.
The data is updated within six weeks of the end of each quarter, ensuring that aftermarket organizations have the most timely and comprehensive information available to help better manage inventory levels, efficiently plan for new vehicle introductions, adjust for technology changes and better assess locations for retail stores and service bays.
For more information, visit www.experianautomotive.com.
