GM More Than Doubles Sales of Turbo Engines in U.S.

One in four vehicles General Motors Co. sold in the U.S. last year—some 712,000 units—were turbocharged. That compares with 12% and 288,000 units five year earlier, Automotive News reports.

Most of those vehicles were cars. AN says half the sedans and coupes GM delivered in the U.S. in 2016 were turbocharged, up from only 5% in 2010.

Carmakers have been turning to turbocharging for years because the technology enables smaller engines to produce the torque and power of larger and less fuel-efficient powerplants. About half of GM’s U.S. model lineup for 2018 will include at least one turbocharged engine option.

IHS Automotive has predicted that 55% of vehicles made in North America will be turbocharged in 2024 compared with one-third this year.