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

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #378: June 27, 2005
Trends in Vehicle Attribute Preference

A survey question asked, "Which of the following attributes would be the most important to you in your choice of your next vehicle?" Dependability was chosen most often in every survey. Fuel economy was rated "most important" by 22% of survey respondents in May 2004 when gasoline prices were about $1.88/gallon, but only 11% of survey respondents felt fuel economy was most important in May 2005 with gasoline prices at about $2.11/gallon.

Graph showing response to survey question about which attributes are most important to consumers when chosing their next vehicle.

Supporting Information

Question: Which one of the following attributes would be most important in your choice of your next vehicle? (Share of respondents)
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%
2005 12% 33% 7% 21% 28%

Source:
For 1980–1987: J. D. Power (data based on new car buyers)
For 1996: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #70550, December 12, 1996
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
For 2005: Opinion Research Corporation International for NREL, Study #714209, May 20, 2005, N = 1012

 

Return to 2005 Facts of the Week