Fact #597: November 16, 2009
Median Age of Cars and Trucks Rising in 2008

The median age of cars and trucks in the U.S. continued to grow in 2008. Due to the economic climate and high gasoline prices that summer, consumers held onto their vehicles longer and delayed new purchases of vehicles. The median age of cars was at an all-time high in 2008, while the median age of trucks reached its highest point since the mid-1990's – before sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks became popular as passenger vehicles.

Supporting Information

Median Age of Vehicles (Years)

Year	Cars	All Trucks
1988	6.8	7.1
1989	6.5	6.7
1990	6.5	6.5
1991	6.7	6.8
1992	7.0	7.2
1993	7.3	7.5
1994	7.5	7.5
1995	7.7	7.6
1996	7.9	7.7
1997	8.1	7.8
1998	8.3	7.6
1999	8.3	7.2
2000	8.3	6.9
2001	8.3	6.8
2002	8.4	6.8
2003	8.6	6.7
2004	8.9	6.6
2005	9.0	6.8
2006	9.2	6.9
2007	9.2	7.3
2008	9.4	7.6
Source: R.L. Polk and Company, Press Release.

 

Return to 2009 Facts of the Week