Fact #623: May 17, 2010
Classification Changes in the CAFE Standards
Beginning with model year (MY) 2011, the classification of cars or light trucks has changed for the purposes of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards. Two-wheel-drive (2wd) sport utility vehicles of 6,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) will no longer be classified as light trucks, though the 4wd models of these vehicles will continue to be light trucks. A cargo van sold without rear seating will be classified as a light truck because it provides greater cargo-carrying than passenger-carrying volume, while the same vehicle sold with rear seating will be classified as a car. The classification rules are complicated, but in general, in order to be classified as a light truck, a vehicle must:
- have 4wd and meet 4 out of 5 ground clearance characteristics,
- have a GVWR over 6,000 lbs and meet 4 out of 5 ground clearance characteristics,
- have greater cargo-carrying than passenger-carrying volume, or
- have three rows of seats and the capability to expand cargo-carrying volume through folding or removing seats.
The list below shows which vehicles will likely be changing from light trucks to cars, based on MY2008 vehicle specifications. Those vehicles accounted for about 6% of total light vehicle sales in MY2008.
| Make and Model | Vehicle Sales MY2008 (Thousands) | Share of Total Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Pacifica Awd* 2007 Ward's % | 2.0 | 0.02% |
| Chrysler Pacifica Fwd* 2007 Ward's % | 5.3 | 0.04% |
| Chrysler Town & Country | 118.6 | 0.90% |
| Dodge Caravan 2wd | 123.7 | 0.94% |
| Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI 4Matic Diesel Mercedes-Benz R350 Mercedes-Benz R350 4Matic |
7.7 | 0.06% |
| Cadillac SRX 2wd | 6.3 | 0.05% |
| Chevrolet G1500/2500 Express 2wd | 13.2 | 0.10% |
| Chevrolet Uplander Fwd | 40.5 | 0.31% |
| GMC Acadia Awd | 26.2 | 0.20% |
| GMC Acadia Fwd | 40.2 | 0.30% |
| GMC G1500/2500 2wd Savana | 1.3 | 0.01% |
| Saturn Outlook Awd | 7.8 | 0.06% |
| Saturn Outlook Fwd | 17.5 | 0.13% |
| Honda Odyssey 2wd | 135.5 | 1.03% |
| Hyundai Veracruz 2wd | 4.5 | 0.03% |
| Hyundai Entourage | 8.5 | 0.06% |
| Kia Sedona | 26.9 | 0.20% |
| Mazda Mazda5 | 22.0 | 0.17% |
| Nissan Pathfinder 2wd | 16.4 | 0.12% |
| Nissan Quest | 18.3 | 0.14% |
| Toyota 4Runner 2wd | 17.7 | 0.13% |
| Toyota Highlander 2wd | 35.6 | 0.27% |
| Toyota Sienna 2wd | 104.4 | 0.79% |
| Toyota Sienna 4wd | 11.6 | 0.09% |
| Total of Vehicles Listed | 811.7 | 6.15% |
| Total Model Year Light Vehicle Sales | 13,194.7 | 100.00% |
|
Note: Based on MY2008 vehicle data. | ||