Since the onset of the pandemic, both used and new vehicle pricing has soared to new record highs due to low inventory and high demand, a problem that somewhat perpetuates to this day. Though inventory has bounced back in a big way, pricing hasn’t declined by any significant margin, which has many hanging onto the vehicles they already own for longer than expected. In fact, the average age of U.S. cars on the road has increased for several consecutive years, and that’s once again the case in 2024.
According to new data from S&P Global Mobility, the average age of all cars and light-duty trucks on U.S. roads has risen to a new record high of 12.6 years. This figure has been on the rise for some time now, as it was 12.1 years in 2021, 12.2 years in 2022, and 12.5 in 2023. However, according to S&P, there are signs that the market is beginning to stabilize somewhat, which could indicate that this trend may slow in the coming months and years.
“With average age growth, more vehicles are entering the prime range for aftermarket service, typically from 6 to 14 years of age,” said Todd Campau, aftermarket practice lead at S&P Global Mobility. “With more than 110 million vehicles in that sweet spot – reflecting nearly 38 percent of the fleet on the road – we expect continued growth in the volume of vehicles in that age range to rise to an estimated 40 percent through 2028.”
In the meantime, this trend does create opportunities for the automotive aftermarket and service/repair facilities across the U.S., which should see an increase in business as people are keeping their vehicles longer and longer. Meanwhile, vehicle scrappage rates – which represent the percentage of vehicles that are being taken off the road entirely – hasn’t changed much, increasing just a touch between January 2023 and January 2024, from 4.5 percent to 4.6 percent.
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Comments
Just bought a 30 year old Ford in March, runs absolutely perfect.
This trend will continue if Chinese evs invade our shores, and wipe out all other manufacturers with cheap garbage products. Suddenly an old Ford that runs great will be heaven sent, and we’ll eventually look something like Cuba.
With the average cost of a new car now around 40k and F150s going for 85k there is a good reason why the cars are getting older.
How is that most pro union guy working out for you now? Now that fewer and fewer people can afford new cars thanks to his bottom up middle out Bidenomics record breaking inflation.
You can thank the policies of Failure 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Made in China-Farley and Failure Farley’s predecessor (the inexperienced unqualified furniture guy) for eliminating sedans after the 2020 MY and concentrating on expensive Milk Trucks aka SUVs, (heck the Expedition can easily sticker over $85,000) and expensive Construction Vehicles aka P/Us because according to Ford, they are profitable, and sedans aren’t. Ford was selling over 200,000 Fusions/year without even bothering to advertise it. However, according to Ford, that was not enough to make it profitable.
Labor costs only account for 9.1% of MSRP in an age of over-automation. The rest is Research and Development, meeting safety regulations, recalls (Ford is the industry leader in recalls) and profit, so Ford can pay Failure 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Made in China-Farley over $20 million/year.
You don’t seem to understand what you’re talking about. Inflation would raise the price of vehicles either way, regardless of which party is in the White House. The reason prices have skyrocketed past the rate of inflation is corporate greed. And that’s not even before you factor in that cars are more reliable than they’ve ever been. If you don’t need to replace your vehicle why would you?
not suprised at this one bit. After the last few years of using the supply chain problems as a fall back plan to deflect poor managment it’s no wonder the lots are full of unsold overpriced trucks and the reasonably priced offerings are sold as soon as they hit the lots. Buying an off lease vehicle that has been depreciated looks a lot more attractive than it ever has.
The average in my case is much higher. My cars run over 20 years, with one reaching 26 years before selling to my neighbor. Domestic brands last much longer so they have lesser sales than imports, which last less than 10 years. My present 2014 Ford Fusion is already 10 years old (built in Sept 2013). One of my neighbors buys Toyotas because they are cheaper. She is on her third Toyota in less than ten years.
That’s because nobody can afford a new vehicle.
We should really shine the light on well if most people buy it used is that taken under consideration from the original birthday or when the 2nd owner takes over. Cuz if I buy a 5 year old car and I hold o to it for the next 12.5 years technically it’s 17 years old at that point but doesn’t feel like it to me.