Wednesday, 11 July 2007
More car buyers demanding four-cylinder engines
« Ford offers dealers special-edition Shelby Mustang as incentive to sell F-Series pickups | Main | Domestic and import vehicles nearing 50/50 in U.S. market share »Determining the effects of seemingly stable $3.00 per gallon gasoline prices on automotive consumer behavior can be difficult at times. For example, we’ll hear one day that small car and hybrid sales have risen drastically over a certain period of time, and then the next that many drivers are unwilling to modify their driving patterns and vehicle choices, regardless of fuel prices.
A recent Associated Press article, however, indicates that shoppers are choosing smaller, more efficient engines when given the choice in a model lineup. Almost all of the best-selling midsize vehicles offered by the top five automakers in the U.S. are seeing four-cylinder sales trump larger engines. From January to May of 2007, for example, 72 percent of Chrysler Sebring buyers opted for the four-cylinder version. The last generation Sebring model year saw 53 percent of purchases go the four-cylinder route.
Chrysler did its part in pushing small engine Sebrings by offering the four-cylinder engine in top trim models at the last minute. Normally, expensive trims include larger (often V6) and smoother engines, as four-cylinders are experienced as noisier and less powerful. But sophisticated technology is smoothing out four bangers and closing the power gap with six cylinder engines.
Since 2002, the percentage of four-cylinder vehicles has been going up, but at 25.4 percent of the total U.S. fleet in 2006 there remains room for improvement. Traditionally, American midsize cars have been popular with V6 engines, while Japanese models have sold strongly with the fours. But through May of 2007, Ford reports that 54 percent of new Fusion drivers have opted for the efficient and clean four-cyllinder.
Once exception is the Toyota Camry, as 75 percent of Camrys sold in 2006 were powered by the smallest engine, compared with 67 percent through May of this year. However, a new hybrid powertrain has siphoned some of that volume, according to Toyota. Then again, three-quarters may just be the peak, as some drivers will inevitably go for the six-cylinder when given the option.
Source: Associated Press via MSNBC
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