WardsAuto Releases Fuel Economy Report Showing Record High Average MPG

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Penton's WardsAuto today announced it has released the first annual WardsAuto Fuel Economy Index: State of the Industry report, showing that new technologies and consumer buying patterns lifted average fuel economy to a record high of 24 MPG in 2012.

The average, as reported by WardsAuto, represents a full mile-per-gallon improvement over light vehicles (LVs) sold in the previous 12 months.

The WardsAuto Fuel Economy Report features data from the company's Fuel Economy Index, 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 2012 gain in fuel economy was the largest year-to-year improvement in the history of the FEI, which has risen every year since its inception in 2008. The 4.3% gain eclipsed the 3.2% jump in 2009 that accompanied that year's government-sponsored "Cash-for-Clunkers" program, which incented consumers to trade in older LVs for more fuel-efficient models.

The 2012 results also represent a 14.3% improvement over the index rating established in Q4 2007, the Index Base Period (IBP).

The full report is now available to download by WardsAuto for free at wardsauto.com/fueleconomy.

About Ward's Automotive Group

Ward's Automotive Group is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data, and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 80 years. WardsAuto World is a monthly magazine serving automotive professionals. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data, and analysis compiled by WardsAuto. Other products include the weekly industry newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, the monthly magazine WardsAuto World, and a wealth of information services including reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports. WardsAuto is a Penton business.

About Penton

For millions of business owners and decision-makers, Penton makes the difference every day. We engage our professional users by providing actionable ideas and insights, data and workflow tools, community and networking, both in person and virtually, all with deep relevance to their specific industries. Then we activate this engagement by connecting users with tens of thousands of targeted providers of products and services to help drive business growth. Learn more about our company at http://www.penton.com.

Penton is a privately held company owned by MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP.

CONTACTS: 
Chris Lamphear
Director of Marketing
Penton
Transportation Group
Phone: (248) 799-2658
Email: [email protected]

Kate Spellman
SVP, Marketing
Penton
Phone: (212) 204-4351
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE WardsAuto