NTL Record

Title Study of Consumer Automotive Preference with Regard to Fuel Economy Measures
Record ID 50457
Personal Name
Creator
Green, Paul E.; Rogers, Peter W.
Source 50p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Publication Date 19780901
Language English
Abstract An analysis is made of the effects of size and weight reduction of 1977 General Motors standard size cars. A buyer profile describing demographic characteristics, age, sex, education, marital status, size of family and income by make is prepared for 1976 and 1977 General Motors standard size cars, and 1977 Ford Motor Company and Chrysler Corporation cars. The analysis focuses on testing whether significant differences exist between the average attitudinal, behavioral, and demographic profiles of two a priori defined groups - buyers of downsized and buyers of non-downsized cars. Multivariate analysis determined the variables that were the major discriminants. It is shown that attributes related to fuel economy are important discriminants distinguishing buyers of downsized standards from non-downsized standard size cars. Those who purchased the downsized cars did so with expectations (that were fulfilled) of better fuel economy, as well as increased maneuverability and ease of parking. They reinforced the pursuit of fuel economy by also choosing 6-cylinder engines and manual transmissions to a greater extent. Share of market, market composition, source of sales, and owner loyalty are discussed. It is concluded that the General Motors Corporation downsizing of its standard size cars was a significant fuel economy measure and a success in the market place as well.
Rosap ID dot:11844
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/11844
TRT Terms Attitudes; Automobile ownership; Automobiles; Compact automobiles; Consumer behavior; Data collection; Decision making; Fuel consumption; Industries; Market surveys; Markets; Multivariate analysis; Purchasing; Chemical reduction; Sales; Surveys; Transmissions; Vehicle power plants; Weight
Classification AGR - IMPACTS - Environment;
AGR - IMPACTS - IMPACTS;
NTL - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT;
NTL - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - Environment Impacts
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Report Number DOT-TSC-NHTSA-78-38
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/50000/50400/50457/DOT-TSC-NHTSA-78-40.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository