Number of older vehicles on the road in the United States increased by more than 17 million since 2009, according to Experian Automotive's Q1 2012 Vehicles in Operation analysis

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Experian Automotive today announced that there were 17.3 million more light-duty vehicles seven years and older on the road in the United States than there were three years ago. According to its Q1 2012 Vehicles in Operation (VIO) market analysis, Experian Automotive also found that there were more than 245 million vehicles on U.S. roads, and that the age of vehicles increased when compared to Q1 2011, up 1.9 percent to an average age of 11 years.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120627/LA31238-INFO-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120627/LA31238-INFO-b)

"An increase of later-model vehicles on the road is a positive sign for the industry because it creates growth opportunities in the important aftermarket sector," said Jeffrey Anderson, director of consulting and analytics for Experian Automotive. "With lower scrappage rates, historically large sales of older-model vehicles and an increase in incentives for maintaining vehicle ownership, aftermarket part manufacturers and retailers will see an influx of shoppers looking to extend the life of their vehicle."

Additional data from the report showed Ford as the most prevalent make on the road in Q1, followed by Chevrolet, Toyota and Honda for both Canada and the United States. At the model level, the U.S. analysis showed that the Ford F-150 had the largest volume on the road, followed by the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Silverado.

Volume by vehicle make

Volume by vehicle model

Other findings from the analysis showed that light trucks in the United States continue to grow and maintain a higher percentage of the total VIO than passenger cars. Light trucks made up 50.8 percent of the total U.S. VIO in Q1 2012, compared with 49.2 percent of passenger cars. Full-sized pickups make up the greatest percentage of VIO, at 14.6 percent overall, with General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and Toyota making up the greatest majority (98.7 percent) of those vehicles.

Additional Q1 2012 findings for the United States include:

• Hybrid/Electric vehicles represent 0.9 percent of VIO in the United States
• 78.5 percent of all light-duty vehicles in the United States are 15 years old or newer
• The top five vehicle segments in the United States make up 50.1 percent of the VIO market

Findings from the Canadian Q1 2012 VIO analysis include:

• More than 22 million vehicles were registered, up from 21.5 million in Q1 2011
• The average age of all light-duty vehicles was 9.6 years
• The largest volume models were Honda Civic, Ford F-150, Toyota Corolla and Dodge Grand Caravan
• Passenger cars made up the greatest majority of VIO at 53.2 percent, and light trucks only encompassed 46.8 percent
• Small-economy cars were favored over full-sized pickups, with small cars encompassing 17 percent of the total VIO
• Hybrid/Electric vehicles represented only 0.4 percent of VIO
• 85.3 percent of all light-duty vehicles are 15 years old or newer
• The top five vehicle segments (small economy car, full-sized pickup, lower midrange car, standard midrange car and minivan) made up 60 percent of the Canadian market

Experian's U.S. and Canadian VIO data is coded to Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) standards and includes quarterly deliveries (available four weeks at the close of each quarter). For more information, visit www.ExperianAutomotive.com.

About Experian Automotive

Experian Automotive provides information services and market intelligence that enables results-driven professionals to gain the fullest possible understanding of the market, the vehicles and the people who buy them. Its North American Vehicle Database(SM) houses data on nearly 700 million vehicles and, when combined with Experian's credit, consumer and business information, provides an integrated perspective into the automotive marketplace. Experian Automotive's AutoCheck® vehicle history reports provide dealers and consumers with in-depth information, allowing them to confidently understand, compare and select the right vehicles. For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite of services, visit our Website at www.ExperianAutomotive.com.

About Experian

Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2012 was $4.5 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 44 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

Contact: 
Roslyn Whitehurst
Experian Public Relations
1 714 830 5578
[email protected]
Twitter: @RozWhitehurst

SOURCE Experian Automotive