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U.S. Fleet Age Hits Record 11.4 Years
The average age of cars and light trucks on the road in America has inched up to a record 11.4 years, according to R.L.
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The average age of cars and light trucks on the road in America has inched up to a record 11.4 years, according to R.L. Polk & Co.
It's the ninth consecutive annual increase, according to the Southfield, Mich.-based auto data provider, which is now a part of IHS Automotive Inc. Polk's analysis is based on a review of more than 247 million vehicles registered each January.
The average age of passenger cars and light trucks in operation has grown from 9.8 years in 2005 to 11.2 years in 2012, the company says. It expects the trend to continue, thanks to more durable vehicles and economic factors that have prompted consumers to keep their cars and trucks longer.
The number of vehicles 6-11 years old has declined slightly over the past five years, but those at least 12 years old have jumped 20%, according to Polk. It predicts that over the next five years the 6-11-year-old segment will shrink 22% and the 12-year-plus group will expand by about 12%.
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