U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Office
Fact #746: September 24, 2012
U.S. Share of World Vehicles Declines
In 1990, the United States accounted for 32.4% of the world's vehicles. The number of vehicles in the world nearly doubled between 1990 and 2010, due to growth of vehicles in other countries, such as China and India. By 2010, the U.S. accounted for only 23.6% of the world's vehicles.
Number of Vehicles in the U.S. and the World, 1990, 2000, and 2010
Note: Vehicles include cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, and buses.
Supporting Information
Number of Vehicles in the U.S. and the World, 1990, 2000, and 2010
(Million Vehicles)
| Calendar Year |
United States |
Rest of the World |
Total World Vehicles |
| 1990 |
189 |
394 |
583 |
| 2000 |
214 |
523 |
737 |
| 2010 |
240 |
775 |
1,015 |
| Sources: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 31, Tables 3.2 and 3.3 |
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