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

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #323: June 7, 2004
New Vehicle Attributes

When thinking about their next new vehicle purchase, fuel economy was rated "most important" by 22% of survey respondents in May 2004. This is a large change from any year since 1983. Back in 1980, however, 42% of survey respondents indicated that fuel economy was the most important attribute when purchasing a new vehicle. In 1980, the real price of gasoline in today's dollars was $2.90. In 1987, the real price of gasoline in today's dollars was $1.51. Gasoline prices in May 2004 were higher than the real gasoline price in any other survey year since 1983.

Graph showing respondents reasons for selection of their next new vehicle purchase.

Supporting Information

Which one of the following attributes would be most important in your choice of your next vehicle?
Year Fuel Economy Dependability Low Price Quality Safety
1980 42% 31% 14% 4% 9%
1981 20% 40% 21% 7% 12%
1983 13% 38% 30% 11% 9%
1985 8% 41% 29% 12% 10%
1987 4% 44% 31% 8% 14%
1996 7% 34% 11% 19% 29%
1998 4% 36% 5% 20% 34%
2000 11% 33% 11% 22% 24%
2001 11% 30% 8% 22% 30%
2004 22% 26% 10% 19% 23%

Source:
For 1980–87: J. D. Power (data based on new car buyers).
For 1996: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL.
For 1998: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study # 707089, February 19–22, 1998, N = 1,019.
For 2000: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study # 709318, August 3–6, 2000, N = 1,013.
For 2001: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study # 710288, July 12, 2001, N = 1,004.
For 2004: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study # 713228, May 27, 2004, N=949.

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