Fact #42: September 29, 1997
People 65 and Over Account for Nearly One-Quarter of Domestic Automakers' Sales
In model year 1996, roughly one-quarter of domestic automakers' vehicle sales were to purchasers over 65. For comparison, purchasers 65 and over accounted for roughly 10% of European and Japanese automakers' U.S. sales.
While purchasers below the age of 30 accounted for about 16% of domestic and foreign automakers' sales, purchasers between the ages of 30 and 45 accounted for about 35% of foreign automakers' sales compared to 25% of domestic automakers' sales.
Note: Domestic figures include captive imports and Asian figures include North American assembled vehicles. Figures do no add up to 100% for any region because data wasn't available for 1% to 2% of vehicle sales. Purchaser is defined as the principle purchaser.
Supporting Information
| Automakers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of Buyers | Domestic | European | Asian |
| 65 and over | 25% | 10% | 10% |
| 45 to 64 | 32% | 37% | 37% |
| 30 to 44 | 25% | 35% | 35% |
| Below 30 | 16% | 16% | 16% |
|
Source: American Automobile Manufacturers Association, Facts and Figures 96, page 57, 1996 (data developed by J.D. Power and Associates). | |||
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