U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #305: February 2, 2004
More V-8 Engines in the United States

Nearly 30% of the light vehicles produced in the United States in model year 2003 were equipped with V-8 engines. This is the highest share for V-8 engines since 1985, according to Wards. The sales of light trucks with 8-cylinder engines have influenced the market to produce the bigger engines.

Share of V-8 Engines Produced for the U.S. Light Vehicle Market
Graph showing the share of V-8 engines produced for the U.S. light vehicle market by year.

Supporting Information

Model Year Share of Light Vehicles Produced with V-8 Engines
1994 22.5%
1995 22.9%
1996 21.2%
1997 26.4%
1998 23.2%
1999 26.9%
2000 25.3%
2001 26.4%
2002 27.7%
2003 29.1%

Source: Ward's Communications, Ward's Automotive Reports, December 29, 2003.

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