U.S. Cars Show No Fuel-Efficiency Gains in 2006

Washington DC April 24, 2007; The AIADA newsletter reported that the average fuel efficiency of U.S. cars and trucks sold in the 2006 model year showed no improvement from the year before at 25.4 miles per gallon, as increased sales of fuel-thirsty cars offset slightly more efficient trucks, according to federal data.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the figures will likely add to the push in Washington for higher efficiency standards. Detroit automakers turned in a mixed performance, with flat to lower results for cars and only DaimlerChrysler AG posting a gain in truck efficiency.

Toyota Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. raised their averages for their North American-built cars and trucks, while Honda Motor Co.'s figures held steady in cars but fell for trucks.

Based on estimates from mid-model year sales, the report said automakers were on track to average 25.4 m.p.g. across all vehicles sold, the same as in the 2005 model year.

Toyota had the most fuel-efficient North American-built cars of any automaker, averaging 34.7 m.p.g., an increase of 0.3 from 2005. Its trucks averaged 23.6 m.p.g., up from 23.1 m.p.g. a year earlier. Nissan increased its averages, to 30.9 m.p.g. for cars and 21.9 m.p.g. for trucks.