Gasoline Direct Injection Engines Top 50% of U.S. Market

Gasoline-direct-injection (GDI) engines were the most common emerging fuel-saving technology outfitted on 2018 model vehicles sold in the U.S., according to the Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.

GDI engines powered 51% of new cars and trucks last year. Eight carmakers had penetration rates of at least 75%. All Mercedes models and 99% Volkswagen cars featured the technology.

With a 36% penetration rate, transmissions with seven or more gears were the next-most-prevalent of the eight emerging technologies listed. Turbocharging and automatic engine stop/start systems each had penetration rates of about 30% on 2018 passenger vehicles.

Continuously variable transmissions and engines with cylinder deactivation were on 22% and 12% of vehicles, respectively.

Despite recent growth, electrified vehicles still represent a small segment of new models. Hybrids accounted for 4% of the market, while plug-in hybrid, all-electric and fuel cell vehicles had a combined total of 3%.