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

Vehicle Technologies Program

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.

Graph showing age groups purchasing domestic, European, and Asian autos

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

Age Demographic of U.S. Auto Sales — 1996
  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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