[AutoGuide.com]

The average fuel economy of vehicles sold in the U.S. has dropped by the largest amount in three years.

According to research by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, average fuel numbers for cars, light trucks, vans and SUVs purchased in September was 25.3 mpg, down from a record-setting 25.8 mpg in August. While 0.5 mpg may not seem like a lot, the last time a drop that big was recorded was in December 2011.

“This large drop likely reflects the increased sales of light trucks and SUVs, and the reduced demand for fuel efficient vehicles of all types because of the falling gas prices,” said UMTRI research professor Michael Sivak.

Since UMTRI started its fuel economy tracking in October 2007, the overall average has climbed by 5.2 mpg. The average fuel economy must continually improve as automakers are being forced by the U.S. government to meet an average fleet fuel economy of 54.5 mpg by 2025.

For more about this story, Average US MPG Drops by Largest Amount in 3 Years and much, much more please visit AutoGuide.com.

 

[Ed753]

If you look at the chart seems almost every Fall there is a drop, probably a combination of; lower gas prices and the remaining 2014 inventory is higher trimmed (bigger engine) and higher priced versions, that move better with the extra discounts applied.

If I had the option of buying a 2014 Terrain with a V6 for the same price as a 2015 Terrain with a L4, I'd probably take the V6 and eat the $300 loss in annual gas savings.

 

[Dr.Show-Me]

I paid $2.869 a gallon yesterday, while I heard the lowest price locally was $2.74 a gallon.
Lower gas prices means people will buy what they want, not what the Government wants us to buy!

 

[Neanderthal]

HURRY! Call con-grease back from yet another vacation so they can bust arse a couple of two-day weeks and get the hell to work fixing this!!

Maybe POTUS can take time out from flying around getting 1000 gallons/mile on our dime--using more fuel in an hour than most of us use in 50 years of driving--doing "fundraisers" or golfing, and exercise some of his world-famous executive brilliance conjuring up some sort of brilliant executive order to make not only the MPG improve [which it will do in a month or so anyway!] but get that darned CO2 under control!!

Maybe the Supremes can declare decreased MPG in October unconstitutional and therefore these numbers are null and void and we have nussink, nussink!! to worry about!

 

[Tree Rat]

Just another example of what a complete failure CAFE is.

 

[TruckMan]

Why do people think that "lower" gas prices drive people into less efficient vehicles? Are there really people dumb enough to think this way? How are you smart enough to hold a job and make money if you aren't smart enough to realize that gas prices fluctuate throughout the year? Every time I see that statement I think it's a political statement and it irritates me.

 

[Dr.Show-Me]

Why do people think that "lower" gas prices drive people into less efficient vehicles? Are there really people dumb enough to think this way? How are you smart enough to hold a job and make money if you aren't smart enough to realize that gas prices fluctuate throughout the year? Every time I see that statement I think it's a political statement and it irritates me.

If gasoline were $.30 a gallon, would you drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle out there, the leat efficient, or something in between? Or would you buy what you WANT?
The reality is that high gas prices cause people to drive more fuel-efficient vehicles, and the opposite is true as well. Frankly, the whole issue is a non-issue. Drive what you want and can afford!