Americans keeping their cars on the road longer than ever

According to a study recently published by R. L. Polk & Co., Americans are keeping their cars on the road longer than ever before. One look at our recent posts on monthly sales figures should be enough to explain the phenomenon, as drivers are delaying the purchase of a new vehicle as long as possible. Much of this trend can be attributed to the current economic climate since consumers have less money each month to spend on transportation needs. Last summer’s record high fuel prices were also a contributing factor. After analyzing data from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, Polk has found that the average passenger car in use in 2008 was 9.4 years old, a figure that surpasses the previous record of 9.2 years from the last two years . Light trucks don’t survive quite as long, though the 7.5 year average is still higher than the 7.1 figure from ’07. A total of 5.6 percent of all vehicles were scrapped in 2008. An interesting side note to all of this data is that older cars are almost universally dirtier and less fuel efficient that their newer siblings, meaning that this could turn into quite the dirty trend if it continues in the coming years. [Source: R. L. Polk & Co.] Continue reading Americans keeping their cars on the road longer than ever Auto Blog: Etc. , Green Daily , USA Americans keeping their cars on the road longer than ever originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Americans keeping their cars on the road longer than ever