Penton's WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index Shows Industry Reached Record-High Fuel Economy in 2013

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Penton's WardsAuto today released the second annual WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index: State of the Industry report, which examines average fuel economy of new light vehicles (LVs) sold in the U.S. as measured by the WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index (FEI), in comparison with prior periods back to Q4 2007, the Index Base Period (IBP) .

The report finds that the average fuel economy of new light vehicles rose to a record high of 24.7 MPG in 2013, reflecting continued consumer interest in fuel efficient vehicles across segments, as well as the increasing availability of more efficient vehicles.

The report comes as automakers strive to meet U.S. increasingly stringent fuel economy and emission regulations set to take full effect in 2025.

The report features data from the WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index (FEI), which uses model-line LV sales, engine installation rates and EPA window-sticker fuel economy rankings to calculate relative average fuel economy of across brands, segments and power types.

The WardsAuto FEI rating for the industry rose 2.8% in 2013, compared with a 4.4% year-to-year jump in 2012. The rate of improvement, though slow compared with the immediate prior year, was directly in line with the average annual rate of improvement over the index period beginning in Q4 2007, pointing toward a steady, less volatile rate of improvement over time.

The 2013 results also represent an 18.2% improvement over the index rating established in Q4 2007, the Index Base Period (IBP).

The report was unveiled at the WardsAuto Outlook Conference on September 17 in Southfield, MI, a quarterly event focusing on near- and long-term forecasts for the global auto industry. The report is now available online at http://WardsAuto.com.

About WardsAuto
WardsAuto is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 85 years. WardsAuto World is a monthly magazine serving automotive professionals around the world. The twice-monthly newsletter WardsAuto Engine & Technology Update provides analysis of engineering advancements and technical issues. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by WardsAuto. A Southfield, MI-based division of Penton Inc., WardsAuto also publishes the weekly industry newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, the digital tablet magazine WardsAuto Dealer Business, and offers a wealth of other automotive information services including reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports.

About Penton
Penton drives performance for more than sixteen million professionals each and every day. They rely on us to deliver: Insights, information & workflow tools to inform critical business decisions; networking & community to engage them with industry peers & partners; and data & marketing services to advance their business performance & deliver ROI. They look to Penton to power the possibilities.

Penton is a growth company with a track-record of strong performance and success and is backed by its co-owners: MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP.

For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Chris Lamphear
Director of Marketing
Penton Transportation Group
(248) 799-2658
[email protected]

SOURCE Penton