Fact #404: December 26, 2005
Better Fuel Economy is Important to Pickup Truck Owners
A September 2005 survey of pickup truck owners found that improved fuel economy in pickup trucks is important. Each survey participant was asked to rank the following items which could be improved in pickup trucks:
- Able to carry heavier loads;
- Better fuel economy;
- More passenger space;
- More horsepower;
- Better off-road capability.
Fuel economy was valued more than any other of the listed items.
Note: Each item was assigned a point value to indicate its importance, with the points for all items summing to 100 (e.g., if each item were of equal importance, each would be assigned 20 points.) The graph shows the average of the points assigned to that item.
Supporting Information
| Average of Points Assigned | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Pickup |
Medium Pickup |
Heavy Pickup |
Total | |
| Better Fuel Economy | 44% | 52% | 47% | 48% |
| More Passenger Space | 22% | 15% | 12% | 16% |
| More Horsepower | 15% | 12% | 15% | 14% |
| Carry Heavier Loads | 11% | 12% | 17% | 13% |
| Better Off-Road Capability | 8% | 8% | 10% | 9% |
|
Source: R.L. Polk and Company, Pickup Truck Usage Study, prepared for Environmental Defense, September 2005, N=301. Survey respondents owned 2004 or 2005 model year pickup trucks. | ||||
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